Our work centered, first, on validating the existing model cities have been using to calculate emissions and the actions they needed to take to meet the Paris Agreement target. We examined the underlying assumptions of these models and then outlined a variety of future scenarios, with differing levels of investment and population growth, and changes in land use over time. We also tried to create a picture of how people’s use of public transport is likely to shift, depending on the speed of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout program and the general perception of risk. At the same time, we developed a classification system for cities that recognizes their differences, based on measures such as GDP per capita and the level of car dependency. A final, crucial, element of the project was to look at the impact of funding mass transit on vulnerable and marginalized groups, including low-income communities, women, people of color, and disabled people.
The overall idea was to demonstrate the catastrophic repercussions of decreasing investment in public transport and the huge gains that are possible for society as a whole if it is supported. As the pandemic draws to a close, we hope that our research will help cities across the world to move towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
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