GFDD Publishes Report on Transportation System Integration in Santo Domingo by GFDD/FUNGLODE Fellow Carl Allen

Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) is pleased to announce the publication of the report “El Metro and the Impacts of Transportation System Integration in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic,” by Carl Allen, 2009 GFDD/FUNGLODE Fellow and graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School Master’s Program in Public Policy and Urban Planning.

Mr. Allen’s comprehensive study is an evaluation of the potential impact
of the transportation system on poverty alleviation, congestion, pollution reduction and social and economic development. The outcome of his research is this extensive report on the effects of the metro and feeder bus routes on the nation’s urban development, which includes recommendations for maximizing societal benefits.

The subject of sustainable transportation and green development is at the core of the mission of Global Foundation for Democracy and
Development (GFDD). GFDD promotes the generation of scholarship aimed at influencing public policy on economic and social development, both at the national and international level.

As a GFDD Fellow, Mr. Allen spent the summer of 2009 and January 2010 carrying out research under the guidance of his National Academic Advisor, Mr. Leonel Carrasco, Sub-Director of OPRET (Oficina Para el Reordenamiento del Transporte). His research methodology consisted of the examination of
first and secondary sources, including OPRET data and documents and review of Dominican media sources.

Mr. Allen’s fellowship also entailed interviews with key stakeholders including Dr. Leonel Fernández, President of the Dominican Republic, and representatives from the Office of Transportation Planning (Oficina Para el Reordenamiento del Transporte — OPRET); the Commission on Natural Science and Environment of the Academia of Sciences (Comision de Ciencias
Naturales y Medio Ambiente, Academia de Ciencias); the Metropolitan Office of Bus Service (Oficina Metropolitana de Servicios de Autobuses — OMSA); the Presidential Commission on the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development (Comisión Presidencial sobre los Objetivos del Milenio y Desarrollo Sostenible — COPDES); and the School of Architecture at the Univeridad Iberoamericana (UNIBE).

Mr. Allen’s conclusions are also based on surveys
administered to riders, students and local business owners.

The report forms part of GFDD’s publication series Research and Ideas, which aims to promote knowledge sharing and best practices. The series includes research papers, articles, speeches and keynote addresses on critical issues impacting the contemporary world, offering national, regional and global points of view. The selected works present scrupulous analysis, introduce innovative
ideas and transmit inspiration. The series seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the world, empowering us to act in a more informed, efficient and harmonious way. The book series, available in print and electronic format, highlights an ample selection of topics including education, health, urban development, African Diaspora Studies and gender equity and equality, among other timely topics.

About The Fellows Program
GFDD/FUNGLODE Fellows contribute to the growing body of research of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) on matters of international concern that directly impact the Dominican Republic. The Fellows Program, an extension of the internship and academic exchange program InteRDom, was developed in 2009 to respond to the desire of GFDD and FUNGLODE to develop a community of scholars that contributes to the Foundations’ growing body of research on matters of international concern that directly impact the Dominican Republic. The initiative provides opportunities for M.S., M.A. and Ph.D. candidates, postdocs and professors to conduct high-level research in the Dominican
Republic on topics related to sustainable development. Throughout their fellowships, researchers work in close coordination with GFDD staff members, National Advisors and their university professors. The Fellows Program pairs fellows with National Advisors and provides students with guidance in terms of the content and scope of their research, operational and logistical support, access to interpretation and translation services, and contact with a multitude of national stakeholders that
contribute to the development of their investigations.

We hope that this report on the transportation system of Santo Domingo will serve to spur discourse on the future of sustainable transportation and urban development in the Dominican Republic and elsewhere, and that this will be the first of many more similar investigations to be realized.

Related links:
www.drfellowsprogram.org

www.interdominternships.org
www.opret.gov.do
www.omsa.gob.do
www.copdes.gov.do
www.unibe.edu.do
www.interacademies.net