Recent years have seen climate change driving policy debates globally, with efforts
focused on creating climate-neutral and smart cities. Car free cities have emerged
as a strategy to heavily restrict the car. This approach to urban planning prioritizes
the well-being of residents, the environment and future generations, by
promoting active mobility and reducing emissions from the transportation sector.
This paper is a summary of the more extensive research paper conducted by
Livemobility on the concept of car free cities and how to initiate car free policies to
reach car free(er) cities in European urban areas. The paper examined key factors
in car ownership trends and challenges faced during the implementation of car
reduction measures. The study highlights the effectiveness of tactical urbanism
and a balance of push-pull approach to limit car use. The study additionally
identifies a lack of communication as an obstacle for these initiatives.
Background
In response to challenges posed by climate change, along with pressing issues
such as traffic congestion, air pollution and noise pollution, there is a need for
more livable cities with a human centric approach in the way we design our
streets. This discourse has intensified the exploration of new ways to design urban
areas, with one of the visions being car free cities.
Emerging policy initiatives are now steering urban planning towards reversing the
autocentric urban structure to create cities with the people in mind. The concept
of car free cities is known to play a vital role in addressing urgent environmental
issues and therefore a way of reaching climate-neutral and smart cities. Europe is
one of the most urbanized regions in the world and these urban regions stand for
23% of all greenhouse gas emissions emitted by transportation. Hence, cities have
become focal points in the pursuit of climate neutral urban development. The
Urban Mobility Framework initiative therefore urges the member states to
develop urban transportation systems that are “safe, accessible, inclusive,
affordable, smart, resilient, and emission-free.”
Problem statement
Emerging literature on the topic of support for ”anti-car policies'” and changed
driving behavior is increasing. Younger drivers are today actively taking a stance
against the car in urban areas. However, it is not exclusively the younger
generation that has a changed driving behavior, but all generations living in urban
areas. Around 2007 the traffic growth stopped and advanced economies are
showing a plateau or even decline in the total vehicle miles traveled, suggesting
that we have reached a saturation point in car usage. The International Transport
Forum states that the declining trend of car use is occurring at an international
level. The economic recession and high fuel prices do provide a part of the
explanation to the decline, but not entirely. Researchers suggest that a slowing
population growth, increasing urbanization, policy interventions in urban areas
and socio-demographic subgroups (mainly young drivers) etc., is a part of the
explanation to the observed trend. The questions now asked are why millennials
are driving less rather than whether millennials are inclined to drive less.
Key findings
Trend
As presented above, an observed trend shows a decrease in the number of miles
driven per person in urban areas. People are increasingly recognizing the
convenience and affordability of alternative transportation options. The shift away
from traditional car ownership is an ongoing trend. Along with global economic
uncertainties are creating new incentives to avoid the commitments associated
with owning a car. Companies within the car industry are picking up on this trend
and several rental car companies are actively planning to decrease their car fleets.
Willingness
The practical benefits and the flexibility associated to the car are beginning to
loosing value. Several studies have found that people are driving out of necessity
rather than actually preferring it over another form of transportation. Additionally,
among those traveling 30 minutes or less, a significant number of people are
“willing to change to cycling” and that there is unsatisfied demand for alternative
transportation modes to motorized vehicles. Other studies from London, Montreal,
the US and Colombia show that cyclist commuters are the most or among the
most satisfied with their trips to work. This are only a few examples that shows the
general willingness to change from being dependent on the car.
As presented above, an observed trend shows a decrease in the number of miles
driven per person in urban areas. People are increasingly recognizing the
convenience and affordability of alternative transportation options. The shift away
from traditional car ownership is an ongoing trend. Along with global economic
uncertainties are creating new incentives to avoid the commitments associated
with owning a car. Companies within the car industry are picking up on this trend
Communication
Gaining public support is a significant challenge in implementing car-reduction
policies, requiring addressing misconceptions and fostering transparent
communication. Many initiatives may have achieved greater success had they
been communicated better. Internal communication between different parties is
many times undervalued and together with a clear vision of the goal. Allocating
more time to internal and external communication could foster responsibility
among stakeholders and generate a clearer vision of the goal to the public.
Tactical urbanism
Since public support is a big hurdle in the process of reaching car freer cities,
tactical urbanism is a helpful strategy. Conducting small scale experiments and
having trial periods are often more accepted and supported by the public. It also
allows for evaluation to determine suitability for the city or area, and often paves
the way for future projects. Implementing a combination of push and pull
approaches (making driving less convenient while enhancing alternative
transportation options), seems to be most effective in changing behavior and is
possible to combine with the concept of tactical urbanism.
Cities are now realizing that attractiveness and efficiency is requiring increasingly
space efficient transportation modes inside our cities. In other words, more space
dedicated to walking, cycling and public transport. The pandemic showed that
cities have the ability to change rapidly. Several cities were quick to take action
and change the urban city structure. By putting out cones or painting stripes in the
road, they could quickly create new bicycle lanes at a low cost, as an example.
Europe adopted a new norm of “corona cycleways” as a result of the pandemic.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the research highlights a pivotal moment in urban transportation,
emphasizing the need for strategic and communicative driven approaches to
foster a shift towards more sustainable, efficient, and inclusive mobility solutions.
By embracing alternative transportation options and addressing the challenges of
change management and public engagement, cities can progress towards
reducing car dependency, thereby enhancing urban sustainability and quality of
life for their inhabitants. Public resistance and the difficulty in communicating the
vision and benefits of such projects are major obstacles. How ideas are framed to
the public needs to be a focal point in projects along with clear internal
communication within a project, which is often overlooked and a potential cause
of failed attempts. By using the concept of tactical urbanism it is both easer to
allocate financial means and is more accepted by the public from the start.
Win win win
Embracing the concept of car-free or car free(er) cities presents a multifaceted opportunity for success. Companies have the power to reshape and affect employees’ travel habits through the endorsement of alternative mobility solutions. This can lead to financial benefits for both companies and its employees and at the same time contribute to creating sustainable cities. In turn residents will have more liveable cities along with increasing their quality of life and saving the environment. This scenario creates a ripple effect of benefits, proving that when companies support carfree initiatives, everyone wins
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