5 Crucial Principles for 21st Century Transportation Systems

Over the rest of the 21st century, cities will face many forces far beyond their control: mega-trends such as dramatic shifts in population, the financial vulnerability of a globally connected economy, resource scarcity, rising income inequality, and an increase in the droughts, floods, heat waves, cold waves, sea level rise, and storm surges caused by climate change. Preparing for all these stresses won't be easy, but a critical place to start is with urban infrastructure — an area where many U.S. cities are most vulnerable.

Infrastructure is the platform of the common good. It connects us in nested networks of systems, integrating homes, neighborhoods, cities, regions, and nations. Cities thrive with internal and external connectedness, and the backbone of this connectivity are our urban transportation systems. It's essential that we begin now to plan, finance, construct, and renovate transportation systems that can respond to these emerging mega-trends. Here are five ways to rethink today's infrastructure for a successful tomorrow.