Beijing: Where Were You 'Trapped' Today?

Despite a new law to make traffic better, Beijing's traffic is so bad, city leaders are considering changing the layout of the entire urban city.

1 minute read

May 3, 2004, 12:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"With a population of 13 million, the city has 54 kilometers of subway lines, which handle 10 percent of the city's public transport volume and account for 5 percent of the city's total traffic flow. In contrast, Tokyo, with a population roughly as large, has an urban rail network of 2,000 kilometers in length, which handles 80 percent of the city's passenger volume. At long last, Beijing officials have come to realize that to tackle the problem at its root, they have to change the layout of the entire urban Beijing -- to change the outmoded, monolithic urban planning.According to Liu Xiaoming, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Traffic Committee, multi-functional centers will be built in suburban districts such as Tongzhou and Shunyi. These are to eventually develop into medium-sized cities each with a populations of more than half a million... People living there will work near their homes, without having to shuttle between their homes in remote satellite towns and their workplaces in downtown Beijing."

Thanks to Laura Kranz

Monday, May 3, 2004 in Shanghai Daily - English Eastday

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 7, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Bike Commute

The Rippling Effects of Bike-to-Work Subsidies

A European movement to incentivize people to commute by bicycle is changing travel patterns and making mobility more sustainable.

May 7 - Momentum Magazine

Senior couple driving car.

Preparing Transportation Systems for the ‘Silver Tsunami’

More Americans than ever will age beyond their safe ability to drive. How will they meet their mobility needs in a car-centric society?

May 7 - Streetsblog USA

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7 - Inc.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Comprehensive Bikeway Design Workshop

Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University

Early Bird Deadline – save on your tuition fee!🚨

Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)