Local Government and its Changing Role in Transport and Land Use Integration

Abstract

Land use/transport integration is no longer a nice sounding professional platitude. It is a major factor in the challenge of achieving adequate urban infrastructure world-wide. In different countries and different circumstances there are variations in importance, but it is not uncommon for transport elements to account for more than half the total infrastructure costs of new suburban development (Saggers 1990). There is a high degree of consensus about the importance of land use/transport integration, but there is also a major gulf between the rhetoric and the reality. The subject of land use/transport integration is not new. Some readers may proclaim- 'no, not againl'. But herein lies the problem. Despite consensus about the importance of the subject, the practice has been found wanting. This paper is based on a Masters thesis prepared at Monash University by Chandler (1994), which was supervised by Professor Ken Ogden. The thesis reviewed past actions related to the interaction between transport and land use in Melbourne, Australia. It concluded, firstly, that there had not been spectacular success in integrating transport and land use decisions and secondly that, amongst other actions, the chances of success in integration would likely be greater if Local Government played a more significant and effective role. Firstly, this paper, identifies contemporary circumstances in Australia which have led to a resurgence of interest in the subject. Secondly, it highlights a resultant deterioration in quality of life for many people which, if left unchecked, will eventually create destructive social, environmental and economic situations. It is observed that these problems are occurring, or are likely to occur in other countries in the region. Thirdly, the paper places emphasis on the importance of understanding user needs, and activities and travel characteristics at the local level. The paper concludes with the identification of the 'window of opportunity' presented by the year 2000 - the new millennium. Actions proposed address the costly and damaging gap between the rhetoric and the reality - focusing particularly on the role that Local Government can play in addressing this challenge.