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

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

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.

April 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Blue and white Seattle Link light rail train exiting concrete Downtown Bellevue Tunnel in Bellevue, WA.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?

Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

April 7, 2025 - Todd Litman

Two people on bikes in red painted bike lane with bus in traffic lane next to them.

Understanding Road Diets

An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.

April 17 - Momentum Magazine

Aerial view of large warehouses across from development of suburban single-family homes in Jurupa, California with desert mountains in background.

New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution

A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.

April 17 - Black Voice News

Purple Phoenix light rail train connected to overhead wires at sunset.

Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension

The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.

April 17 - Arizona Republic