Reflections

use, mobility determines the city structure and its economic viability. Therefore, a
correct choice of transport and communication modes is of crucial importance for
Third World cities.
Correa illustrates with the example of China, where millions bicycle to work. He
suggests greater use of bicycles in our cities. With the growth of cities as distances get
longer and the viability of bicycles reduces, Correa suggests public transport systems
based on Mass Rapid Transport (MRT).
Correa had developed this scheme of MRT for his New Bombay proposal. Though
theoretically interesting, it is a moot point if it is practically viable. Like New
Bombay, it certainly cannot be used as a model for growing cities of the third world.
Resource constraints and lack of managerial skills make it impractical. Moreover,
urban growth is going to take place in existing towns and cities, where laying of
tracks, whether surface or underground, plays havoc with existing life and property.
(Note the Calcutta experience). Like high-rise buildings, MRT is a big question mark.
A more practical thing would be to develop the whole range of road transport,
including bicycles, two wheelers, cars and buses. Its advantages are the same as of
low-rise housing – incrementality, pluralism, participation, equity and disaggregation.
What is more, like low-rise housing, it has great potential to generate employment in
the informal sector of the economy.
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