Can clean air zones as credible incentives for green mobility in emerging economies

Urban mobility in emerging economies

The state of urban transport systems directly affects health, environment, and urban economy, and transport is the dominant cause of air pollution in most cities globally . Fast urbanising cities in Africa face significant challenges including increased environmental (air and noise) pollution, lost productivity time, and lost economic benefits,  arising from inefficient transport systems.

As mobility remains a major puzzle in many African cities, car-free zones offer unique opportunities to advance the case for investments in green, accessible and inclusive urban mobility infrastructure. Increasingly, a number of cities in Africa including Kigali, Addis Ababa, Kampala, Cape Town, are implementing car-free days; but just how effective are car-free zones in addressing the inherent challenges of urban mobility? Are we making the right arguments for car-free zones? 

This webinar, aims to consolidate the arguments for car-free zones and clean air zones as credible incentives for green mobility, firstly; by interrogating the evidence of environmental and economic externalities from the existing transport ecosystems, then exploring intervention synergies including the need for data, capacity enhancement, and stakeholder engagement.

Key discussion points

1.    How much do/don’t we know about the evidence on air pollution, health, and lost economic opportunities arising from urban mobility inadequacies in African cities? 
2.    What is the right argument for investing in non-motorised transportation and green mobility infrastructure as the future of urban mobility?
3.    Are there lessons from successful case studies of implementing car-free zones/clean air zones in global cities?
4.    What are the contextual data needs for supporting awareness and advancing sustainable transport planning?
5.    What kind of infrastructure and policy environment can incentivise increased investments in green mobility?
6.    Who are the most important stakeholders and how can we effectively close the capacity, and awareness gaps?