New Guidance Shows How Cities Are Fighting Back Against Air Pollution

A new guide has highlighted how local leaders at city level can tackle air pollution through clean air zones and other measures.

The guidance compiled by experts at Arup, on behalf of the Clean Air Fund, aims to “support cities around the world at whatever stage they are in their pathway to clean air”.

It highlights the role clean air zones can play in addressing vehicle emissions, and how such zones should be tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of each city.

The guidance also highlights the need for urgent action and warns by 2050, seven out of ten people will be living in cities and breathing air that is dangerous to their health.

It highlights the experiences city leaders have had around the world as they have introduced clean air zones, including those in Krakow, Poland.

The Krakow Clean Transport Zone or Strefa czystego transport (SCT) is planned to be in force at the start of July this year.

The guidance adds poor air quality is a major issue in Krakow and extensive consultations took place with local residents, businesses and other stakeholders, including on how best to limit the economic impact of the new policy.

The guidance also includes a case study on the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which currently operates across all London boroughs in England.

It notes how in the months leading up to the launch of the ULEZ expansion to the whole of Greater London in August 2023, the scheme became “highly politicised”.

It also states the public in London, while supportive of improving air quality, were more likely to oppose its expansion if they lived in Outer London.

There were concerns raised about the costs of replacing vehicles by individuals and businesses, particularly during a time of high inflation and cost-of-living crisis.

The Clean Air Fund’s executive director of strategic partnerships, Sean Maguire said it is advocating for cleaner air around the world, because it delivers significant social, health and economic benefits in an interview.

Maquire said clean air zones are one of several tools available to address the impact of air pollution and the new guidance will help decision-makers determine if it is suitable for them.

“Clean air zones work best when integrated with a broader approach to urban planning, city design and public transport and alternative options for private car use,” he told me

“The ultimate goal is improved human wellbeing,” added Maquire.

“We want people to live longer. We want cities to be pleasanter places to live. And ultimately, employers and the government want people to be more productive and have fewer days off sick. Improving air quality can deliver many of these things.”

Arup’s associate director, Sarah Legge said it is important to identify whether a clean air zone is right for a particular city and the guidance will help policymakers make sure it would meet their needs.

Legge added in developing the guidance, the writers have examined the various challenges that different cities are facing, including the need for communication and engagement and how some communities may be more affected by air pollution than others.

“Cities can do amazing things. They are more agile than national governments, and they can tailor the measures they need and deal with the challenges directly,” said Legge.

“One of the things we have tried to bring out in this guidance is policymakers might want to implement a clean air zone as an air quality measure, but equally they might want to introduce this as a sustainable transport measure.

“Decision-makers might also want to introduce or to support sustainable urban development measures, as a clean air zone can have many benefits. It’s all about the quality of life and what kind of city you want it to be.”