Public transportation should be so convenient and accessible for pedestrians that it becomes the preferred choice, even for car users, Anaclaudia Rossbach, the Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), Report informs.
Rossbach made this statement during the Green City Transport High-Level Roundtable, held as part of COP29.
She emphasized that cities should prioritize the development of compact neighborhoods with multi-modal electric public transport systems that connect affordable housing with essential opportunities such as jobs and key services. "Cities should be assisted in modernizing networks to provide better and cleaner services," she added.
The director noted that cities should be empowered to create comprehensive frameworks that promote sustainable mobility plans and balanced growth between land use and transportation, while formulating a shared vision with all stakeholders.
"Countries have unique opportunities here. By prioritizing multi-modal low-carbon transport and integrating sustainable and resilient urban mobility, we can achieve climate goals while advancing various sustainable development goals and the New Urban Agenda," Rossbach stated.
Rossbach concluded by congratulating the COP29 Presidency for their sustainable urban development priorities and for proposing the Multi-Stakeholder Action Pathways Declaration, which she believes will help pave the way towards robust, healthy cities.