Massimo Paolini shares the following article, originally published in El Salto, presenting new reflections on urban mobility and the future of cities.
Correlating two recent studies demonstrates the need for a profound reorganization of urban mobility. First: what effects would replacing cars with bicycles have on public health? Second: how effective are the anti-pollution measures adopted by Barcelona—a city with one of the highest risks of premature mortality due to air pollution?
It is difficult to dispute that cities need a profound reorganization. The pandemic of the last two years has only exposed already obvious problems. A fundamental premise before any reflection: most of the urban problems we are currently experiencing are directly or indirectly linked to our economic system. Therefore, to address these urban challenges, we must question the very foundations of our economic-productive system. Any urban planning solution that fails to challenge this system will be reduced to a short-lived, superficial cosmetic treatment.
