The state of the art of transport mobility in urban life in Latin American cities

Abstract

By a documentary analysis with a qualitative approach, the state of the art of mobility is shown through its manifestations in the territorial scope, identifying the challenge it represents for contemporary urban life in Latin America. It recognizes the relationship between mobility and sustainability as an essential element of survival for present-day cities, and the need for a strategic environmental assessment through a model of environmental thresholds. Its influence on the economy is analyzed as a main component of the demand of transport and its impact in the urban planning, mainly of the externalities. Congestion is addressed as a counterpart, and its origin, causes, common problems in Latin America, the contribution of urban transport and their effects on society are analyzed. Finally, solutions are reviewed to improve it through representative examples, and the implementation of public policies with three main approaches: citizen’s quality of life, efficiency, and sustainability. Both successful and failed results are recognized. Through the identification of its configurator elements, it is a panorama that specifies the need to incorporate these concepts in measuring the quality of life of people.