BETTER ACCESS TO URBAN OPPORTUNITIES: - ACCESSIBILITY POLICY FOR CITIES I N THE 2020S

BETTER ACCESS TO URBAN OPPORTUNITIES: ACCESSIBILITY POLICY FOR CITIES I N THE 2020S Philipp Rode, Catarina Heeckt, Oscar Huerta Melchor, Rebecca Flynn and Jonathan Liebenau Summary for policy-makers The world has entered the 2020s facing three intertwined crises that demand immediate attention: the COVID-19 pandemic, a new rise in poverty and inequality, and the climate emergency. [...] The pandemic has shown that people can quickly and dramatically change how they live and work, and in many cities, there are opportunities to rethink the use of space and further improve accessibility. [...] Policy priorities include incorporating digital connectivity requirements as part of urban planning and building regulations, incentives to bridge the digital divide, direct investments in and delivery of digital connectivity through the public sector and enabling new finance such as universal service funds. [...] leaders can make a significant contribution both to climate action The authors also want to thank the more and to urban accessibility. [...] The authors would also like to acknowledge the essential contribution of both the internal and the external reviewers, whose comments and suggestions greatly strengthened this paper, as well as the excellent editorial support provided by Marion Davis, who played a significant role in preparing this paper for publication.