Name: Why buses represent democracy in action
Uploaded: 2013-12-06T16:00:59Z
Duration: 14 min 4 s
Description: "An advanced city is not one where even the poor use cars, but rather one where even the rich use public transport," argues Enrique Peñalosa. In this spirited talk, the mayor of Bogotá shares some of the tactics he used to change the transportation dynamic in the Colombian capital... and suggests ways to think about building smart cities of the future.

"An advanced city is not one where even the poor use cars, but rather one where even the rich use public transport," argues Enrique Peñalosa. In this spirited talk, the mayor of Bogotá shares some of the tactics he used to change the transportation dynamic in the Colombian capital... and suggests ways to think about building smart cities of the future.

Why buses represent democracy in action

Mobility in developing cities worsens as incomes rise, deepening inequality and congestion. A city is truly advanced when even the wealthy use public transport, not just the poor owning cars. In Bogotá, exclusive bus lanes and 350 kilometers of protected bikeways proved that road space can uphold dignity and democracy for all. With over half of future cities yet to be built, leaders have a rare chance to design urban spaces that value every citizen equally.