The Asian Institute of Transport Development (AITD) has published a book entitled, "Non-motorised Transport in India: Current Status and Policy Issues". AITD also wishes to establish a global research network on non-motorised transport.
For more information on the book or proposed network contact: Coordinator, Network on NMT, Care Director, Asian Institute of Transport Development, Apt. E-5, Quitab Hotel, Saheed Jeet Singh Marg, New Delhi 110016, India; Phone: +91 685 6117; Fax: +91 11 685 611; E-mail: klt%aitdin@delhi.globemail.com

The International Institute for Energy Conservation (IIEC) has initiated a working relationship with the City of Xiamen in China to pursue an integrated transport planning approach. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of International Programs offered mobile source pollution training for Xiamen in addition to a training process already planned in Shanghai. The Shanghai seminar, from 3-7 March 1997 was conducted by Michael Walsh, private consultant, and Charles Freed, U.S. EPA, and focused on removal of lead from gasoline. A target for complete elimination of lead throughout China by the year 2000 seems likely. The Xiamen Workshop on Transportation Pollution Control and Developing Strategy, which was held on 10 - 14 March 1997, had a wider focus on all air pollutants and on the problems of rapidly increasing numbers of vehicles. IIEC has also won funding to conduct a series of four workshops in Manila on integrated transport planning approaches with a focus on Manila.
For more information contact: John Ernst, Manager - Sustainable Transport Program, IIEC - Asia, 8 Sukhumvit Sol 49/9, Bangkok 10110. Phone: +662-3810814, Fax: +662-3810815, e-mail: jernst@mailsvr.loxinfo.co.th

The Far Eastern Economic Review reported on Dec 19, 1996 that China had "ceased calling its car industry a 'pillar' of the economy. The move came during an annual four-day economic plenum attended by the top leadership that ended on November 24. Sources say plenum participants allowed the car industry's status to crumble after it became obvious that the goal of an affordable car for all families would mean national gridlock." Unfortunately, the China Daily subsequently reported on Feb. 24, 1997, that a high-ranking official said that China must forge ahead to meet its goal of car production despite criticism during 1996.

Three of Malaysia's largest environmental organisations have joined together to voice their concerns over a proposal for a major highway to link three hill resorts in Peninsular Malaysia's mountainous spine. Despite government assurances, the three groups, Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Friends of the Earth Malaysia), the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), and WWF Malaysia, fear that the road will damage large tracts of pristine montane forest. They have questioned the economic viability of the project and successfully objected to the low sum initially devoted to the environmental impact assessment.
For more information contact: WWF Malaysia, 49, Jalan SS 23/15, 47301 Petaling Jaya ,Selangor Malaysia. Tel: + 603-7033772, Fax: + 603-7035157 E-mail: wwfmal@pop.jaring.my, or Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), 27 Lorong Maktab, 10250 Pulau Tikus, Penang Tel: +604-2276930, Fax: +604 227 5705.

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in New Delhi has released a new report on air pollution in India, "Slow Murder: The deadly story of vehicular pollution in India", is by Anil Agarwal, Anju Sharma and Anumita Roychowdhury, (1996, State of the Environment Series No. 3, CSE).
Contact: the Marketing Manager, CSE, 41 Tughlakabad Institutional Area, New Delhi 110-062, India. Tel: +91 11 698 1124/698 1110/698 3394, Fax: +91 11 698 5879, E-mail: csedel@cse.unv.ernet.in

In case some of you are not aware, the "SUSTRAN-DISCUSS" e-mail discussion list is to be launched soon. It will be an interactive forum devoted to discussions on promoting people-centred and sustainable transport, primarily in Asia and the Pacific. Contributions from and about other regions will also be most welcome, especially from Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe where many issues are very similar. Please contact me at tkpb@barter.pc.my if you want to subscribe. To those of you who have already asked to subscribe to this list, many apologies for the delay. We hope it will be up and running very soon.

ITDP has moved to the following address. Their e-mail address is unchanged. The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) 115 West 30th Street, Suite 1205, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel +1 212-629 8001, Fax +1 212-629 8033, E-mail: mobility@igc.apc.org

Walter Hook of ITDP recently completed a working trip to Asia which included visits to Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore and Manila. He met with a number of the key government, academic and civil society actors on transport in each city, seeking opportunities and partnerships for ITDP's advocacy and technical assistance work on sustainable transport. He also spent several productive days with the SUSTRAN secretariat.