Plan for Emissions-Free Zone Takes Shape in Seattle

In order to meet its commitment to the C40 Fossil-Fuel-Free Streets Declaration, Seattle has released a memo draft that outlines the city's plan to implement an emissions-free zone, reports Ryan Packer for The Urbanist.

While many details of the proposal are redacted, the memo mentions two strategies that the city plans to implement, says Packer: "utilizing street space in commercial business districts (like with the Ballard Avenue cafe street or The Patio common restaurant seating area in Columbia City) and designating residential streets local-access-only with the Stay Healthy Streets program and the Home Zone pilots programs."

Seattle first signed on to the C40 pledge in 2017, one of 12 cities to do so at the time. Strategies employed by other cities include cordon pricing for vehicles entering central zones, pedestrianizing streets, and improving bike and pedestrian infrastructure. On its website, the C40 calls low-emission zones (LEZs) "a way for cities to take ambitious action more quickly in a priority area," letting cities expand the programs as results become apparent.

Planetizen has previously covered plans for zero-emissions neighborhoods in Santa Monica, where a designated zero-emissions delivery zone gives priority access to clean vehicles, and Bergen, which plans to transform a former shipping district to a 'regenerative' car-free zone that relies on low-impact mobility and access to the city's public transit system.