Dr Catherine Conlon: How can we get cars out of our cities?

The challenge is to make our urban environment more livable — and the solutions are well within our reach. Congestion charges, parking controls, and ‘gamification’ of travel must be considered, writes Catherine Conlon

Cork City has been leading the charge to remove or reduce cars with a programme of pedestrianisation including here at Oliver Plunkett St. File picture: Larry Cummins

THE research is now clear. To improve health outcomes, meet climate targets and create more liveable cities — reducing car use should be an urgent priority.

Ireland has the fourth-highest level of transport emissions per capita in Europe and the transport sector is responsible for around 20% of our overall carbon dioxide emissions, with private cars accounting for 41% of emissions in the transport sector. The sale of fuel-hungry SUVs continues to grow rapidly: 55,000 were sold in 2021 (nearly 55% of all new cars), while 8,600 electric vehicles (EVs) were sold during the same year.