Planning Framework for Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Core Areas of Indian Cities: Final Report

Rapid urbanisation and motorisation in India have resulted in significant environmental degradation and public health challenges, with the transport sector contributing most of the pollution in urban areas. Air quality improvement strategies to be integrated into transport planning are the need of the hour. This project focuses on developing a planning framework for Low Emission Zones (LEZs) that would work for Indian cities.

The planning and implementation of the Low Emission Zone are gaining attention globally as an air quality improvement strategy. A well-planned LEZ has the potential to encourage the transition to low-emission vehicles and facilitate use of active and public transport to combat traffic congestion, promote accessibility, safe movement of all and improve liveability and equity. Several cities such as Amsterdam, London, Beijing, Seoul to name a few have successfully implemented LEZs as these cities already had well-established active and public transportation systems that offered good alternatives to road users.

However, its widespread adoption has not been observed in Asian cities. The Planning Framework for Low Emission Zones (LEZ) developed for the walled city of Ahmedabad addresses these challenges by formulating an integrated strategy to reduce air pollution, improve accessibility and mobility and enhance the quality of life.

This framework is developed based on international case studies, detailed analysis of local situations and evidence-driven recommendations, making it both actionable and implementable for Ahmedabad and adaptable for other Indian cities.