The Plan Regulador Metropolitano de Santiago: An integrated approach to urban transport planning?

This paper reviews the urban transport component of the Plan Regulador Metropolitano de Santingo (Chile), a master plan for growth in the area. This planning document has important implications for transport planning in Santiago: it provides the groundwork for establishing linkages between land use zoning and transport investment decisions; it sets spatial limits to urban expansion; and it establishes a set of residential densities. One of the most difficult challenges for the Greater Santiago area is to develop a comprehensive master plan that will accommodate the transport needs of its 37 municipalities (comunas) and make the city a more desirable place to live. Some of the principal factors contributing to environmental degradation in Santiago, such as air pollution and traffic congestion, are caused by the inefficient provision of transport services. Therefore, it is important that this plan clearly define the role of urban transport in the economic development of the metropolis. This paper concludes that while the Plan plays a key role in the reduction of travel times, energy consumption and agricultural deterioration, it mistakenly proposes to satisfy increased travel demand through an expansion in road capacity and identifies roadway improvements that fall under the jurisdiction of individual comunas. However, many of these comunas lack resources and are unable to generate the revenues necessary to finance these improvements. In the future, the Plan should clearly define the role of each mode within the transport network and promote greater interagency coordination. In an effort to encourage greater efficiency in transport investment and reduce negative externalities, the Plan should actively promote the use of alternative modes to the private automobile. This policy course will require the establishment of a strong metropolitan transport authority capable of coordinating the efforts of the comunas and regional ministries.