I N T E R N AT I O N A L CONFERENCE Public space and the Climate Convention The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21/CMP11) in Paris in December 2015, will have a major impact on the New Urban Agenda. Replacing the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, the conference objective is to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate. The Climate Convention will build on the outcome of the CoP20 in Lima in December 2014 stating that cities can contribute to reducing climate change in various ways. Public space for walking and cycling One of the fundamental functions of public space is that it allows us to move around – on foot, by bicycle, by car, motorbike or public transport. A key objective of public space design and management is therefore to reconcile the needs of these often conflicting modes of transport. A reduction in car use reduces fine dust particles PM10 and PM2.5 and NO2 as well as CO2 which is also lowered when vehicle speeds are reduced. “Share the street” initiatives are facilitating walking and biking in the city without banning motorised traffic. These are zones where pedestrians always have priority but bikes and cars are allowed at low speeds. The implementation of auto restriction measures along with improving conditions for public transport, pedestrians and bicycles has proven to be an efficient measure to reduce pollution levels. Weekly temporary pedestrian/bicycling corridors have become a frequent measure globally. Other measures for reducing distances and overcoming barriers such as the introduction of passages and bridges can lead to significantly reducing emissions. Public transportation Public space can help mitigate climate change by linking places together and encouraging people to use public transport. No matter whether the mode of public transportation is green or not, it is always more eco-friendly than driving individual cars. Improving the public transportation system therefore always has important impact on climate change through reduction of vehicle usage and associated emissions. Regulating public transport and introduc- http://futureofplaces.com ing systems such as bus rapid transit (BRT) systems can move large numbers of passengers at low costs, and at the same time reducing traffic congestion and emissions, while optimizing the use of the current road network. Innovative measures, particularly in mountainous cities, are the aerial cable car and outdoor escalators. It is not only cost-efficient but very eco-friendly and connects remote areas with the city centre by only a few minutes journey. [email protected] @futureofplaces I N T E R N AT I O N A L CONFERENCE Green spaces as catalyst The significant increase in hard surfacing and the reduction in green spaces lead to higher temperatures in cities than in the surrounding countryside known as “the urban heat island effect”. Vegetation in the public space can help to redress this imbalance. Additionally, vegetation can minimise carbon emission by acting as carbon sinks through absorption of carbon from the atmosphere. Green spaces can help adapt to the effects of climate change by acting as a sustainable drainage system, solar temperature moderator, source of cooling corridors, wind shelter and wildlife habitat. Energy efficiency in public facilities Reducing loss and enhancing energy efficiency such as improving isolation and ventilation or changing light sources or other materials to less energy consuming varieties can have important impact in public facilities in reduc- ing greenhouse gas emissions. It is also possible to minimise carbon emissions through greening of infrastructure by the choice of materials, construction technologies, and passive design which reduce energy consumption. Public sanitation Where there is a lack of sanitation infrastructure, as is often the case in informal settlements, investment in public sanitation facilities such as public toilets, washing and laundry facilities diminishes open waste which is a source of methane and other climate change contributing emissions and reduce the risk of polluted waste water and damaged soil. Introducing systems with public eco-sanitary composting toilets with adjoining showers is an important solution. Public recycling Recycling in the public space has become more frequent but can still be developed. Programmes such as “garbage that is not garbage” have become leading examples for low cost and effective waste management. Encouraging separation of organic and nonorganic components and collecting recyclable waste can produce energy for the city’s public facilities. Diversion of waste from landfill can mitigate emissions both from the reduced waste in landfills and the reduced transportation related emissions to landfills. Public sharing Materials and facilities can be shared in the public space in order to reduce emissions; from bicycles and electric cars, to public wireless or books. Most famous is the Velib’ initiative – a large-scale public bicycle sharing http://futureofplaces.com system. The scheme was recently complemented by Autolib', an electric car sharing scheme operating on similar principles. [email protected] @futureofplaces