What strategy can cities implement to combat air pollution?

Promoting public transport is an effective strategy for cities to combat air pollution. By encouraging the use of buses, trains, and other forms of mass transit, cities can reduce the number of private vehicles on the road. This leads to a decrease in emissions from individual cars, which are significant contributors to air pollution. Public transport systems can move a larger number of people more efficiently and with a lower per capita emission rate compared to private vehicles. Additionally, improved public transport can often be paired with cleaner technologies, such as electric buses, further reducing pollution levels.

The other options do not align with effective strategies for reducing air pollution. Reducing bicycle lanes would likely discourage cycling, which is a sustainable and low-emission mode of transportation. Encouraging industrial development often leads to increased emissions and air pollution, especially if industrial activities are not subject to strict environmental regulations. Increasing reliance on private vehicles would exacerbate air quality issues as it increases traffic congestion and the number of emissions contributed to the atmosphere. Therefore, promoting public transport emerges as the most sustainable and effective strategy to enhance air quality in urban environments.