Cities can learn from Paris SUV charges – expert

CITIES could learn from Paris’ recent decision to charge higher parking fees for SUVs, according to University College Cork (UCC) researcher Niall Dunphy who is leading a project on more sustainable urban environments.

Mr Dunphy, of the School of Engineering and Architecture and Environmental Research Institute, made the comments as his project, JustCities Hub, was announced as a beneficiary in the latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Research Call Awards.

“JustCities Hub is fundamentally about imagining city life in a way that embraces the challenges of climate action and promotes stable, just, and healthy urban environments,” he said.

“This must include learning from the experiences of other cities and, importantly, reflecting the wishes of the citizenry.

“The recent Paris referendum on higher charges for SUVs is an example of citizens deciding to make their city safer and healthier.”

The project seeks to enable just transitions in cities while also engaging in problem-solving climate change from a multi-stakeholder perspective.

JustCities Hub is one of eight UCC projects that has received funding in the EPA Research Call Awards.

The aim of the EPA awards is to address a range of areas covering climate change, the natural environment, the green and circular economy, and the environment and human health.

Nationally, UCC is the highest-performing institute in terms of these awards, receiving funding of €3.7m from a total €14.3m across 13 organisations.