Urban planning to drive green policy | Bangkok Post: business

Good urban planning and policy including land use and transport planning should be the key drivers in creating environmentally friendly cities and infrastructure, according to participants at a recent discussion on planning in Thailand.

"Urban planning is where it all starts. In most developed countries, [urban planning] should be driving the green trend, but it's not environment-friendliness that's driving urban planning," said Ali Adam, the East Asia development director at Halcrow Group Ltd, a UK-based engineering consultancy that has been active in maritime and rail projects in Thailand for 30 years.

Green elements in urban planning can include green spaces and park areas and reducing parking for traffic, but as an area urbanises, one needs to look at total development in the central business district and outskirts, at transport links and where to locate schools.