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Urban Transport systems in large developing cities face major challenges due to the continuous growth of urban population, private vehicle ownership, congestion, and the fragility of public transportation systems. When the urban transport system experiences major difficulties, consequences are felt by households, by businesses, and by the urban community at large. Transport may become a binding constraint on both economic growth and social development and inclusion, along with increased negative impacts on health and on the environment. The World Bank supports client countries and cities in their effort to develop urban transport policies and projects to tackle these issues.

FEATURED Urban Transport Projects: Patterns and Trends in Lending, 1999-2009 This study aims to consolidate the abundant, but fragmented, institutional memory regarding the Bank’s urban transport operations. It establishes a single-stop database of all urban transport projects funded from 1999 to 2009, thence making a first-pass synthesis of patterns and trends in this program.

BY THE NUMBERS Data source: World Bank RESULTS National Urban Transport Program (Colombia) The World Bank supports the Colombia's Urban Transport Program, which implements locally-executed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems and strengthens the urban transport institutional setting. Lagos Urban Transport Project (Nigeria) The Bank-funded Lagos Urban Transport Project included the development of a Transport Authority for the city (LAMATA) and the development of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, in operation since March 2008. WHAT'S NEW Project in Colombia: Support to the National Urban Transit Program Project  EVENTS Capacity Building Program: Building Leaders in Urban Transport Planning January 15-21, 2012 Public Involvement in Urban Transport January 2010 TRB 91th Annual Meeting - January 2012

HIGHLIGHTS Green Transport in China The World Bank assists Chinese cities in reforming public transport and overcoming problems that made people less willing to walk or bike. Public Transport Planning and Reforms The World Bank and PPIAF have developed a capacity building program for decision-makers in developing countries and cities. Mexico's Public Transport & Climate Change The World Bank approved a $350 million loan to support improvements in Mexico's public transport system and help reduce CO2 emissions.