The twelve Pacific Island Countries (PICs) that are members of the World Bank have been experiencing rapid urbanization for several decades and are now experiencing rapid growth in reliance on private cars. This combination of rising urban populations and increasing reliance on private cars could mark a potentially transformative turning point for Pacific cities. Many Pacific cities are understood to have had historically large mode shares of public transit and walking; however, these modes are declining as car ownership increases. Although reliance on private cars is often initially seen as a sign of progress, decision-makers around the world have quickly found themselves in the reactive position of expanding roads to 'keep up' with rising congestion. Against a global backdrop in which dependence on cars has become a default in much of the world, Pacific cities are well positioned to adopt a sustainable urban transport pathway that better responds to their needs. There is strong demand for a car-lite development pathway in the Pacific that provides sustainable urban transportation choices. A 'car-lite development' pathway is in many ways more suitable for the Pacific; it reduces climate changing emissions and reliance on costly imported fuels and vehicles, and promotes health, safety, and social inclusion. The strategies presented in this guide were identified through in-depth dialogue with leaders in the Pacific region. Technical content was prepared by subject-matter experts and informed by literature reviews and field observations. This guide is intended to serve as a guidebook to a car-lite urban development pathway for the Pacific. This guide has two parts. Part I is primarily written for top government decision-makers and representatives of civil society and development organizations who are tasked with defining strategies for the future development of Pacific cities. Part II is written for working-level technical practitioners who seek to understand and implement strategies developed under Part I.
