Simulating urban development scenarios for Wuhan

The city of Wuhan, capital city of Hubei province, as many other Chinese cities, has been undergoing a very rapid urbanization with urban expansion, urban redevelopment and urban renewal, which is radically transforming the built environment, the supporting transport infrastructure and therefore also the distribution of population and jobs and levels of accessibility to reach them. The interaction between urban developments and transport is highly important for livable cities, but also complex and dynamic. Any land use change has transport implications and vice versa. Urban development generates travel, and travel behavior generates opportunities for new facilities, which in turn affects accessibility and may attract further development.

While much attention is given in the global press to the economic growth of China, the notion of “harmonious cities” has become a guide for recent debates about the management of the on-going urbanization process. With this rapid growth that most Chinese cities experience, urban and transportation planning become increasingly important in developing pathways towards sustainable development for harmonious cities as they contribute significantly to the quality of life of millions of citizens. Tools and methodologies that can assist in making cities such as Wuhan to be harmonious are needed urgently.