Mobility is fundamental to all societies. Roads facilitate movement, whether it be a trip to the supermarket or the transport of raw materials to a processing facility. Roads are viewed as necessary for economic development because modern transportation infrastructure is thought to stimulate economic growth and help reduce poverty. However, economic benefits frequently come with an environmental cost, and geographers and ecologists have documented many examples of environmental problems associated with roads, ranging from air pollution to habitat degradation.
Striking the right balance between economy and environment is not easy, but the impact of roads is set to become more important. The number and extent of highways is expected to expand dramatically this century. By 2050, at least 25 million kilometres of new roads are likely to be built around the world. This would be a 60% increase in the total length of roads from that in 2010. Ninety per cent of this road construction is expected to occur in developing countries.
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