The Shared Path: People not cars at the heart of communities

Aotearoa needs low-traffic neighbourhoods and cities to reduce emissions, improve road safety, and to create connected urban communities.

New Zealand | Friday, 4 July 2025

The cost of cars

Aotearoa has one of the highest rates of car ownership in the OECD, and we spend most of our travel time in cars. However, this reliance on cars comes at a considerable cost. The transport sector accounts for almost a quarter of Aotearoa’s total climate emissions, with more than half coming from private vehicles. Road crashes also result in numerous fatalities and injuries, with one person killed on our roads every day and another injured every hour. High traffic volumes contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, other pollutants, and a lack of social connectedness in our cities and neighbourhoods, which is even more important in the post-pandemic context. Therefore, reducing traffic volumes in our cities is crucial.

Key Findings

Climate Impact: The transport sector accounts for almost a quarter of Aotearoa’s total climate emissions, with more than half coming from private vehicles.
Road Safety: Road crashes result in numerous fatalities and injuries, with one person killed on our roads every day and another injured every hour.
Social Connectedness: High traffic volumes contribute to a lack of social connectedness in our cities and neighbourhoods, which is particularly important in the post-pandemic context.

A neighbourhood with good urban capacity provides many services within walking distance and mean walking and cycling trips are the most convenient way of moving.

Risto Jounila WSP Technical Director Transport

Risto Jounila WSP Technical Director Transport

The need for scalable policies

To achieve a substantial reduction in traffic volumes, we need policies that secure change at scale. Traffic reduction should not be framed as a matter of personal choice but should involve policies that enhance daily lives and improve transport experiences. Implementing low-traffic streets and neighbourhoods in cities is one effective way to achieve this.

What is a low traffic neighbourhood?

A low-traffic neighbourhood is an area where through-traffic is discouraged, and non-residential traffic is directed to main roads. This can be achieved through wider footpaths, bollards, planting, and traffic calming measures. Low-traffic neighbourhoods should be small, ideally walkable within 15 minutes, and part of an integrated city-wide plan.

Benefits of low car neighbourhoods

Reduced Traffic Volumes: Low-traffic neighbourhoods can dramatically reduce traffic volumes, not only within the neighbourhood but also in the surrounding residential area.
Improved Air Quality: These neighbourhoods have been shown to improve air quality.
Increased Physical Activity: Residents are encouraged to walk, wheel, or cycle for short local trips.
Local Business Benefits: Low-traffic neighbourhoods can benefit local businesses.
Increased Life Expectancy: These neighbourhoods can even increase life expectancy.
Reduced Carbon Emissions: They contribute to reduced carbon emissions.
Increased Road Safety: Low-traffic neighbourhoods increase road safety.
Greater Health, Equity, and Social Connection: They promote greater health, equity, and social connection.

Overcoming obstacles

There are obstacles to implementing low-traffic neighbourhoods, including political barriers, practical concerns, accessibility issues, and regulatory and legislative barriers. Building a broad coalition of support and addressing these concerns is critical.

Principles for a Low-Traffic Future

The report presents four principles for a low-traffic future:

Be Ambitious: Aim for significant change.
Make the Process Tika (Right and Just): Ensure fairness and justice in the process.
Plan Large Areas Together: Integrate planning across large areas.
Engage and Listen: Involve the community and listen to their needs.

To learn more about this report, download the full copy below.

The Shared Path report