The Potential of Improving Air Quality by Urban Mobility Management: Policy Guidelines and a Case Study

Abstract

Abstract There is a growing recognition among planners and policy makers that proper transformation of urban mobility systems is crucial to the reduction of air pollution emission. The main objective of the work was to review the current urban mobility strategies in the city of Gdańsk, Poland in terms of their potential for the improvement of urban air quality. Firstly, general policy guidelines for mobility systems were formulated based on a review of recent relevant studies and existing solutions from various European and Asian cities. Then the main spatial characteristics of the transport system and mobility patterns in Gdańsk were determined and visualised by means of GIS-based tools, supported by the analysis of local urban and environmental planning documents. The current air quality status in Gdańsk was also described. Subsequently, the policies proposed in two documents for the urban mobility management in Gdańsk were identified and cross-compared with the previously reviewed solutions from other cities in terms of air quality improvement. The results showed that the strategies for air pollution mitigation are not integrated with the process of urban planning in Gdańsk to a sufficient degree. Finally, some recommendations were also suggested to improve the current strategies.