Presently, transport is the greatest contributor to global carbon emissions.
That means a shift to more sustainable modes of transport is no longer a recommendation, but a necessity. To spur change, the inaugural World Sustainable Transport Day was established, falling on November 26 this year. According to the UN, “the average annual carbon emissions per person will need to drop from 6.3 tons (2020) to 2.1 tons by 2030 as recommended by experts.”
Ahead of COP28, how is the Global Designing Cities Initiative working with cities to reduce vehicle carbon emissions?
GDCI reimagines streets as public spaces. Our street design principles and methodologies, projects, and policy work support city leaders and communities to create streets for all people, providing practical, tangible, and long-term strategies and interventions to transition to carbon-free forms of transport, and encourage multimodal access and uptake.
Reclaiming space for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit, not only creates a greener future, but walking, cycling, and shared forms of transport catalyze movement that improves physical health, fosters more social interaction to prevent isolation and poor mental health, and enables those who can’t afford a car to move around, providing the means to access education and work opportunities, as well as social and recreational activities.
To help cities design streets to encourage faster and smoother uptake of more sustainable forms of mobility, GDCI:
[See our Streets for Kids projects, new cycling infrastructure initiative, our renowned road safety work, and stay tuned to learn more about our research on air quality.]
Download the Global Street Design Guide (available in eight languages), the Designing Streets for Kids guide, and our practical “How To” Manuals for free.
To learn how your city can work with us, contact info@gdci.global.
The WHO Global Status on Road Safety Report 2023 shows inroads into reducing road traffic deaths, but also highlights key challenges. Learn how GDCI's work supports cities to reduce vehicle speeds and save lives.
See how our Streets for Kids projects are helping more kids and young people get to school and play safely, while also creating comfortable, healthy, and enjoyable spaces for their caregivers and the wider community.
"The guidance, vision, and flexibility articulated in the Guide represents a new and important direction for cities and communities and is an indispensable tool for planning a more equitable future," says World Bank President Ajay Banga.
