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This presentation was delivered by Paul Starkey (Honorary Senior Research Fellow, University of Reading) during the parallel session (B1) on "Redefining Goals in Transport" at the ADB Transport Forum on 15 September 2014.
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Will rural people be ‘left behind’ by the sustainable development goals?
Paul Starkey
University of Reading and
Transport Services Research Manager
Asia Community Access Project
As a result of advocacy (including that of SLoCaT)
The draft ‘urban’ goal 11 has a clear transport target
“By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport for all and expand public transport” . . . . . (“all” refers to urban people)
Rural people deserve and need a similar target
Rural transport does not have a clear international champion.
The danger is that rural people will be ‘left behind’
But there is no equivalent rural target
With international support, it could fit into
Goal 1: Eliminate poverty
Goal 2: Sustainable agriculture
Goal 9: Promote sustainable infrastructure
But it now seems unlikely that there will be a clear rural equivalent to the urban target
Rural people need transport infrastructure and services to access their livelihoods, markets, health services, education and numerous economic, social and civic opportunities
Good transport is crucial for poverty
reduction, economic and social
development and meeting Sustainable
Development Goals including those relating
to health, education and equity
In Papua New Guinea, one third of the rural population of five million people live more than 15 km from a road
To sell produce or access towns and services, the only option is to walk for hours
Worldwide, one billion people living more than 2 km from all-season road
Key problem 1: Lack of rural roads and trail bridges
One billion people living more than 2 km from all-season road
Key problem 1: Lack of rural roads and trail bridges
With no roads or transport services, these women in Myanmar walk for 2-3 hours each way to access towns and services. To obtain income from 45 kg of produce a week they walk to market and back three times a week.
Most villages in Myanmar are more remote than this . . .
Key indicator: percentage of rural population more
than 2 km (30 min walk) from all-season road
One billion people living more than 2 km from all-season road
Key problem 2: On rural roads, lack of affordable and
convenient transport services
Key indicators: fares per passenger kilometre and
frequency (travel opportunities per day to markets and services)
Eg In Nepal. Low economic demand
Cartels preventing competition to reduce price and improve quality
Eg, China. Informal sector prohibited
‘Private’ (ex parastatal) companies not competing
Regulatory standards (and prices) very high
Result: generally no public transport on low volume roads and people use motorcycles
Paul Starkey 2013
Women can benefit from road
7
There is compelling evidence, including that published by ADB, that connecting rural villages leads to:
Paul Starkey , 2013 7
Reduced levels of absolute poverty Reduced maternal and child mortality
Higher school attendance of pupils (and teachers!) Higher agricultural production and economic activity
Very positive effects on national GDP
Huge benefits of providing rural access
By 2030, if we do not improve rural access in Asia Pacific
x? million mothers and babies will die due to lack of healthcare
y? million girls and boys will receive inadequate education
z? million tonnes of agricultural production will not be grown
w? million tonnes of food will be spoiled
Who will collect this outcome data and monitor progress?
Who will collect/compile rural transport indicators?
Who will ‘champion’ rural transport in Asia?
The human cost of inaction