Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

A Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is an area where polluting vehicles are prohibited or limited in entering in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and boost quality of life. The objective of this project is to enhance the LEZ that ITDP is planning in Jinan, China by developing a conceptual plan for electric bike infrastructure in tandem with model interventions that will further mitigate transport emissions by connecting more residents to the city center and mass transit stations through sustainable mobility rather than polluting vehicles.

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In cities around the world, ITDP is confronting problems of congestion, pollution, and social exclusion through policy reform and project implementation. All of ITDP‚ work seeks to balance low-carbon growth and planning with strategies that are socially equitable. As private car ownership continues to rise globally, it not only contributes to the dangerous rise of emissions, but growing social and economic disparities. Car dependent culture puts more distance between the home and work, childcare, and other important resources for the most vulnerable and historically underrepresented groups in our society. 

By developing a conceptual plan for robust electric bike infrastructure that will complement travel near and into the LEZ in the future, in addition to implementing low-cost interventions that can easily transform streets near and around the LEZ into friendlier spaces for improved walking and cycling, ITDP will significantly expand the options for sustainable, affordable, and safe travel to those without a private vehicle to reach the LEZ. Providing extensive and reliable means of travel with e-bikes and walking will expand opportunities for all city dwellers to access the city center, where opportunities are most densely located. Another key component to this plan is ensuring that public transit systems are also more accessible by personal electric mobility, like bicycles, and walking, which will further expand access to opportunities for underrepresented populations. 

In addition, the LEZ is planned for an area of Jinan with a predominantly senior population, where the percentage of elderly people over 60 years old reaches 30%. Therefore, the designs will fully consider the needs of this vulnerable group. This includes setting up more public spaces that facilitate social cohesion, as well as more barrier-free designs, speed bumps, and other infrastructure that protects the safety of this population when on the city streets. When setting the conditions regarding which motor vehicles can enter and charging for parking, the project team will take into account the economic conditions of the original residents, especially the needs of low-income groups, and set the rates accordingly. Overall, a people-centered focus, along with a robust transport network and real options for everyone to choose more sustainable modes of travel, is our best fit for reducing emissions.

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