Sustainable cities can be described as urban areas designed with the three pillars of sustainability in mind, that is; social equity, economic viability and environmental protection aiming at creating resilient habitats for existing populations without compromising the ability of future generations to experience the same. Achieving sustainability amidst development has been a challenge to many upcoming urban centers, and cities worldwide have put in place measures to support the tradeoff between these two. These include; measures to foster de-carbonization in energy, transport and building sectors, addressing urban-rural linkages; setting and identifying sustainable ways to achieve sustainability and development targets; overcoming barriers between different levels of government; capacity building and skills development among stakeholders, financing innovative models of service delivery and multi-stakeholder engagement in all stages of development.
Transportation systems are the lifelines of cities, serving as the foundation upon which urban cities are built. Efficient transport systems facilitate creation and access to jobs, education, healthcare, attracts investments and enables smooth flow of goods and services acting as catalysts for economic growth and development. Sustainable transportation contributes to sustainable urban environments by supporting mixed-use development and reducing carbon emissions.
Transport operations account for up to one-third of traffic-related emissions, making electric vehicles (EVs) the most promising instrument for lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieving sustainability in cities. Electric mobility provides an array of benefits towards a clean, efficient and resilient urban environments. Adoption of electric modes of transport in cities can propel cities move towards sustainability through;
1. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and urban air pollution – Electric vehicles (EVs) produce zero tailpipe emissions, significantly reducing pollutants such as CO2, Nitrogen oxides and other particulate matter. Increase fresh and clean air in urban areas significantly increases the value of public health and quality of life in among citizens. When energy used for electric mobility charging is generated from renewable energy sources. The amount of GHGs emissions from the transport sector is significantly reduced. The reduction of carbon footprint of urban transportation, makes cities significant progress in towards achieving climate goals and combating global warming.
2. Renewable energy integration and improved energy efficiency – Electric vehicles are more energy-efficient than their internal combustion engine counterparts. These EVs have a capacity to convert a higher percentage of the energy from the battery to power the wheels, which translates into lower overall energy consumption and improved efficiency. This enables the integration of renewable micro-grid sources to generate and power the EV systems. Innovations in the sector such as vehicle to grid (V2G) technology allow storage and supply of excess energy, to power the supply and demand thus enhancing grid stability.
3. Sustainable urban mobility – Adoption of electric modes of transport in large scale, such as public buses support flexible and efficient transport networks in urban areas, reducing individual dependence on private modes of transport and congestion in these areas.
4. Economic and technological innovation – The continued rise in electric mobility supports technological innovations in both hardware and software, this has spurred several start-ups and investments. EV components and array of services such as battery technology, charging infrastructure, smart transportation systems, assembly and sale of EVs have and continue to create employment opportunities for youth and markets for investors.
Conclusion
As cities grow and face new challenges, the transport and mobility sector remain a critical part in achieving long-term sustainability, improving quality of life and enhancing resilience among residence. Electric mobility presents a transformative force towards achieving sustainability and development of cities. Integration of electric mobility coupled with the right policies and investments at local and national levels is a key step to realization of sustainability in cities and communities.
References
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