Advertisement
Advertisement
Cyclists wearing protective masks ride along a newly opened bike lane in San Juan city, Metro Manila, in observance of World Bicycle Day on June 3, 2020. Several cities have opened bicycle lanes as people use different ways of commuting while public transport remains limited to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Photo: AP
Opinion
Melinda Martinus
Melinda Martinus

Coronavirus response gives Asean cities a chance to embrace a greener, healthier future

  • Improved air quality in cities across Southeast Asia is a welcome development but one that is not sustainable in the long term without further reforms
  • Making cities greener and pedestrian-friendly, revamping public transport and promoting energy-efficient buildings now will help ensure a healthier future
Covid-19 lockdowns may be bringing a little solace for those living in Southeast Asia’s bustling urban centres. It is rare for people in Manila, for instance, to see a bright skyline exposing the Sierra Madre mountain range. It is also fascinating that the Philippines’ capital has seen a surge in bicycle sales as people have started to use this eco-friendly transport mode more because of public transport restrictions during the pandemic.

Lockdowns in many Association of Southeast Asian Nations cities have significantly reduced air pollutants that are harmful to the human respiratory tract. According to IQAir data cited by the Southeast Asia Globe, Singapore was the only one of 10 regional cities surveyed in February that was in the “good” Air Quality Index category.

By May, once lockdowns were in effect, Manila, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City had joined Singapore in the “good” category. Bangkok showed the most improvement, with its pollution score declining by more than 50 per cent.

Improved air quality might be a good result for these cities, but it isn’t necessarily sustainable. As cities across the region gradually reopen, people do not want to return to a congested and polluted urban life. Conversations on how to build green cities with good air quality have intensified as people demand healthier, cleaner urban living in the post-pandemic era.

A recent study in the Oxford Review of Public Policy surveyed 231 economists from 53 countries, with respondents suggesting that using Covid-19 government stimulus packages to build green infrastructure and improve energy efficiency would offer the best economic and environmental returns.

If Asean cities follow this recommendation, they would help reduce global carbon emissions and rebuild the region’s post-pandemic economies in the long run.

01:57

Coronavirus: Filipinos scramble to buy bikes as they return to work

Coronavirus: Filipinos scramble to buy bikes as they return to work

Cities across the region are expected to have significant population growth, with Asean projecting an additional 70 million people living in urban centres by 2025. Manila and Jakarta are expected to have 15 million and 12 million people respectively by then, while Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City will grow to 8 million.

Access to a large labour force and consumer demand keeps these urban centres attractive to investors. Their young populations are expected to drive growth in the manufacturing, retail, services, and information and communications technology sectors.
Despite this promising future, Asean cities face chronic stresses. The 2019 TomTom Traffic Index ranked Manila, Jakarta and Bangkok among the world’s 20 most congested cities. An Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development report put Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Yangon, Hai Phong and Jakarta among the top 20 cities with populations increasingly exposed to coastal flooding by 2070.

These poor liveability indicators are a reminder that Asean cities need more ambitious reforms. They can start by greening urban corridors and designating bike lanes. City dwellers might be discouraged from using crowded buses, underground metros or trains to get to work while restrictions on public transport are in place. For those who still depend on public transport, cycling could be a cheap, sustainable and safe alternative.

04:22

Philippines in Focus: Jeepneys in Jeopardy

Philippines in Focus: Jeepneys in Jeopardy
Local authorities and advocacy groups in Manila have started an initiative to install more bike lanes. This opportunity could be explored further, along with installing more trees, parks and landscaped areas, as well as making the city more pedestrian-friendly to reduce use of fossil-fuel-powered vehicles for short trips.

Revamping public transport is also important. It is possible to improve quality standards while also exercising social distancing and maintaining good hygiene. Monitoring emissions while planning to fully switch to electric or biofuel buses should be a priority during the recovery from Covid-19. Eco-friendly buses cost more than diesel models, but their lower running costs and reduced pollution will lead to long-term savings.

The good, bad and ugly sides to Manila, the Philippines’ chaotic capital

Finally, these cities should promote energy-efficient buildings. The pandemic has pushed architects and city planners to focus on health-oriented design, especially for the elderly, children and other vulnerable groups. Energy-efficient buildings can be a healthy, low-cost solution as they offer natural ventilation with reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy-efficient buildings are expected to become more affordable and create new jobs in the construction sector that will be badly needed in the economic recovery.

Covid-19 has temporarily improved the air quality in many Asean cities. Moving forward, this should inspire them to build healthier, more liveable cities for the future.

Melinda Martinus is lead researcher in sociocultural affairs at the Asean Studies Centre, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Asean cities must plan for a greener future
Post