Understanding the complex relationships between transport, air quality, climate change, and health is crucial for informed public policy. Low-carbon transport policies in urban areas have the potential to lower air pollution levels, which are associated with various health issues, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, while encouraging physical activity with active transport modes, such as walking and cycling, thereby improving physical activity levels and overall health.
The International Transport Forum invited our colleagues Marta Rofin and Juliette Tenart to contribute to their workshop, which led to a recent report “Assessing Health Impacts of Low-Carbon Transport Scenarios in Urban Areas”.
Together with the other attendees and the ITF, several key strategies were identified for integrating health into low-carbon transport policies:
- Adopt Holistic Approaches to Urban Planning and Modelling: Implement comprehensive planning and modelling techniques that consider the interconnections between transport, health, and urban development.
- Promote Active Mobility for All: Encourage walking, cycling, and other forms of active transport for all community members to enhance physical activity and reduce reliance on motorised transport.
- Incorporate Health Considerations into Transport Policy Decisions: Ensure that health impacts are a core component of transport policy-making processes.
- Address Equity in Urban Development: Develop policies that promote equitable access to sustainable transport options for all urban residents, regardless of socio-economic status.
- Harness Technology and Innovation: Leverage technological advancements and innovative solutions to improve transport systems and their health outcomes.
- Build Partnerships for Collective Impact: Foster collaborations between public, private, and community stakeholders to achieve shared goals in sustainable urban transport.
This workshop and project are paving the way for more health-conscious and sustainable urban transport policies. By recognising and addressing the complex linkages between transport, air quality, climate change, and health, this project aims to create urban environments that support both environmental sustainability and public well-being. The initiative receives strategic guidance from the ITF’s Corporate Partnership Board, which engages the private sector to bring business perspectives into global transport policy discussions.
Healthy Cities is committed to supporting and implementing these insights, working towards healthier, more sustainable urban areas for future generations. We look forward to the forthcoming report and continuing our collaboration with the ITF and other partners in this vital endeavour.
