The need for UN climate change policy reformation

This paper endeavours to understand the climate change phenomenon and identify measures taken to contain it. It discusses global warming causes and consequences and assesses effectiveness of the United Nations (UN) polices following failure of the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In pursuing this course of action, this paper utilizes data collected from East Africa region. Key issues discussed in the paper include findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the role of urbanization in global warming as cities emit most of greenhouse gases. Special reference is made to developing cities which are growing extremely fast and will consume more energy in future. They are becoming economic engines and adopting industrialization as an economic model while developed cities are experiencing de-industrialization. Developing cities have neither the ability to adopt green technology nor the capacity to establish large capacity public transport systems to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. It is evident that UN efforts to combat climate change are not effective because past experience shows that CO2 generation cuts weren’t near enough. The recent Paris Agreement may restore a faith in UN process if implemented but doesn’t reduce temperatures as needed unless all drivers of climate variability are considered, particularly the abortive role of developing cities. The UN Programme appears to be focusing on attaining urban resilience rather than targeting grassroots causes. Urbane-bias global policies drive the rural population to leave their land and flood cities while over-usage of natural resources by the rich is left unchecked. A new UN strategy making the countryside a more appealing place to live in and work whilst normalising urban growth is needed as well as mobilizing local leaders who enjoy more autonomy to enact regulations. It should also alleviate poverty, deter excessive practices and put science and technology under community control

Revitalization of Greater Khartoum Urban Transportation System

Khartoum metropolis depends on a single-modal transport – vehicular road system. Mass transport modes are completely absent making Khartoum unable to meet citizens’ mobility demand. Thus passengers facing long time delays in transport stations. Slow traffic speeds and severe traffic jams result in long trip periods, high traffic accidents rates and high suspended particulate concentrations accumulating in the air. This situation is attributed to: Use of small-sized vehicles running on limited paved road network. • Adoption of extensive grid iron planning patterns lacking multi-grade intersections. • Eroded public transport fleet and extremely overcrowded urban centres. Negligence of public transport systems integration into landuse plans and urban structure restructuring difficulty crippled public transport revitalisation for no space is left for mass transport infrastructure construction. Moreover, transport systems’ operation mismanagement and focus on economic development increased pressure on transport systems. This paper endeavours to point out the deficiencies in public transport services and proposes the areas of reformation. To revitalize urban transport, Khartoum main transport infrastructures must be efficiently operated by establishment of a talented transport authority supported by strong legislations and popular authorization and able to adopt sustainable mobility solutions to meet current and future traffic demands by: Rehabilitating and expanding the existing infrastructures. • Deploying large-capacity multimodal transport systems including river transport, bus rapid transit systems, tramways and metropolitan railways to connect Khartoum polycentric and its sprawling outward growth. • Mitigating environmental pollution and enforcing stringent road safety measures. • Reviewing traffic laws to tighten traffic regulations and control traffic flows. Investment priority should be given to river transport. It is economically feasible, has large carrying capacity and safe and almost accident free. Furthermore, Nile Rivers dominate the metropolis, dictate urban configuration, direct urban growth, impose urban expansions patterns and influence spatial organization