01 December 2004

Background and use hints

This component of our website is as you will quickly see a "blog": in this case a running, collaborative record of what we consider to be among the most interesting things as they pass through here via our various programs and activities under The Commons. Here are some of the ways in which you can access and put these materials to work.

  • Internal organization of Blog: Opening page displays upper right (a) ten mote recent entries. Then (b) as you go to any given entry, the column reforms to display the next ten. You can also call up all entries for any given month by clicking the indicated month link, and for the Archives as a whole.

  • To search the Blog: Enter your term in Search slot on top line. (May have 24 hour lag for updates.)

  • Your comments and observations: These can be easily made on each item and are enthusiastically invited. All you have to do is click the link at the bottom of the item, and file your comment. If you do not have a blog, it is easiest to send as "anonymous"; but in that case we would ask you to identify yourself, including your email for eventual later exchanges.

  • Want to post something to the Blog? Terrific. That's what this is all about? Send it to us via email and we can post as per your instructions. If we have any questions, we will get in touch first to iron it out. If we find that the piece is out of our main focus, we may let you know with a short note of explanation.

  • To share a given item or article with a friend?: Again, straight forward: use the email icon at bottom of each article. You'll see.

  • Blogger help: Click http://help.blogger.com/

  • Information on free IP telephone. See http://www.Skype.com
    To get in touch directly once you have Skype installed, click here: callto://ericbritton/

  • Other efficient means to get in touch (Free):. Click here: http://newmobilitypartners.org

  • Questions? If any, we invite you to get in touch by any of the means indicated here.

    Eric Britton

    The Commons: Open Society Sustainability Initiative at www.ecoplan.org

    Le Frene, 8/10 rue Joseph Bara 75006 Paris, France, Europe

    T: +331 4326 1323 Fax/Voicemail hotline: +331 5301 2896
    E: mailto:eric.britton@ecoplan.orgE Back-up: mail@ericbritton.org


    The Commons Open Society Sustainability Initiative: Seeking out and supporting new sustainability concepts for business, entrepreneurs, activists, community groups, and government; a thorn in the side of hesitant administrators and politicians; and through our joint efforts, energy and personal choices, placing them and ourselves firmly on the path to a more sustainable and more just society.


  • 1 Comments:

    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Fuel Consumption and Environmental Impact of Rickshaw Bans in Dhaka


    Most trips in Dhaka are short in distance, usually one to five kilometers. These trips are perfect of Rickshaws. Rickshaws are cheap and popular mode of transport over short distances. Rickshaws are safe, environmentally friendly and do not rely on fossil fuels. Rickshaws support a significant portion of the population, not only the pullers, but also their families in the villages, the mechanics who fix the rickshaws, as well as street hawkers who sell them food. From the raw materials to the finished product the Rickshaw employs some 38 different professions. Action needs to be taken to support the Rickshaw instead of further banning it in Dhaka. The combined profits of all Rickshaws out earn all other passenger transport modes (bus, rail, boats and airlines) combined. In Dhaka alone, Rickshaw pullers combine to earn 20 million taka a month.

    We think that over the coming holiday of Eid du Ajah, new Rickshaw bans will be put into action on roads in Dhaka. Eid was used in the past to place new bans on roads in Dhaka. Last Eid many roads were declared Rickshaw free without public support or approval. By banning Rickshaws roads are clogged with increased private car use as well as increased parking by cars. Banning of Rickshaws on major roads increases the transportation costs for commuters. Not only due to longer trips to avoid roads with bans in effect, but also due to actually having to take more expensive forms of transport such as CNG or Taxi, where in the past a Rickshaw would suffice. The environmental impact of banning Rickshaws is obvious because it exchanges a non-motorized form of transport for a motorized form of transport, thus increasing the pollution and harming the environment. Rickshaw bans harm the most vulnerable in society, mainly the sick, poor, women, children and the elderly; generally those who can not afford or do not feel comfortable on other forms of public transport. To ban Rickshaws also hurts small businesses that rely on them as a cheap and reliable form of transporting their goods. Rickshaws are ideal for urban settings because they can transport a relatively large number of passengers while taking up a small portion of the road. In 1998 the data showed that Rickshaws took up 38% of road space while transporting 54% of passengers in Dhaka . The private cars on the other hand, took up 34% of road space while only transporting 9% of the population (1998 DUTP). This data does not include the parking space on roads that cars take up in Dhaka . If included this would further raise the amount of space taken up by private cars. Every year the Rickshaw saves Bangladesh 100 billion taka in environmental damage.

    The government makes many efforts to reduce traffic congestion in Dhaka but with no success. Blaming Rickshaws for traffic congestion and subsequently banning them from major roads has not had the desired affect. Traffic is still as bad now as it was before the Rickshaws were banned on major roads. Rickshaws thus can not be seen as the major cause of traffic congestion. Instead one should look towards private cars and private car parking on roads as the major cause of traffic congestion. The space gained by banning Rickshaws is often used for private car parking. The current trend in transport planning reduces the mobility of the majority for the convenience of the minority. The next time a ban on Rickshaws on another road is discussed please take into consideration who is being hurt and who is being helped. For a better transport system in Dhaka we need to create a city wide network of Rickshaw lanes. If this is done Dhaka can reduce its fuel usage dramatically as well its pollution. We ask your help in our fight to keep Dhaka a Rickshaw city. Any information or help is very much appreciated and sought after. I write you this letter to describe the difficulties we are facing and some solutions but they are by no means exhaustive and we look forward to your help and input.

    Syed Saiful Alam Shovan
    Volunteer of Save Environment Movementą§· shovan1209@yahoo.com
    http://voiceofsouth.org/2008/01/03/rickshaw_bans/#comment-4383

    14 December, 2008 17:00  

    Post a Comment

    << Home