Colomn: Urban Planning and Clean Air

Urban areas are major contributors to air pollution. Pollution is caused by both natural and human-made sources. But the most significant sources of air pollution are vehicles. About half of the air pollution comes from mobile sources such as cars, trucks, jeepneys and buses, the Air Quality Management Section of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) said.

Reducing pollution from motorized vehicles requires comprehensive approach that involves both urban planning and design.

Last year, I visited Ormoc, a city in Eastern Visayas that restrict motorized vehicles within their parks and plazas, which I could say, one way of reducing pollution. Not far from Ormoc is Baybay City, and their streets are dominated by pedal-driven tricycles or pedicab they call “pot-pot”.

Therefore, if planned properly, urban planners can design which roads designated for motorized vehicles and roads where motorized vehicles are restricted.

One of the biggest contributors in maintaining cleaner air in our cities is the promotion of public transportation. Reliable and efficient public transportation encourages people to commute rather than use their own vehicles, however unreliable and congested public transport often result to an increase in private vehicle ownership.

Electric vehicles (EVs) too, are solutions in maintaining cleaner air. All forms of EVs can help improve fuel economy, lower fuel costs, and reduce emissions.

Cities can also install air quality censors that will help them identify sources of pollution and enable decision makers and citizens to make informed decisions. With the presence of censors, people can monitor air quality levels and help them develop strategies to improve air quality in their areas.

In our country, at least four cities are joining the “Cities Race to Zero”, a global campaign encouraging local governments to undertake green initiatives for a zero-carbon recovery. These are Baguio, Quezon City in the national capital, Dipolog in Mindanao, and Vigan in Ilocos Sur.

These four cities are promoting cycling and bike-friendly roads, providing free city bus transport, switching to renewable energy, massive reforestation, and pedestrianization of streets—considered as innovative localized climate initiatives that can be made effective if enforce with strong political will.

Urban planning and air quality are strongly linked. With the right plan and its execution, creating healthier, more livable and sustainable cities are possible.