Chapter 07: What Is Geoaccounting? 235 Since 2007, more than half the world’s population has been living in cities, and that share is projected to rise to 60 percent by 2030. UN Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) 11 aims to create sustainable cities and communities that are ready for this rapid urbanization. Air quality is worse in cities and metropolitan areas worldwide. They account for 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, but as engines of economic growth, urban areas also contribute around 60 percent of global GDP. Many cities are also more vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters because of their high concentration of people and infrastructure. We can avoid human, social, and economic losses by creating, supporting, and sustaining resilient urban communities. As the world population grows and becomes more urbanized, cities need accessible transportion networks that ensure access to safe and affordable housing, public transportation, jobs, and public green space. According to the American Community Survey (ACS) published by the US Census Bureau in 2022, 14.1 percent of Los Angeles County residents commute more than 60 minutes daily. An additional 70 percent of commuters drive alone, and less than 10 percent use public transport, including buses, trains, or subways. More than 25 percent of all commutes in Los Angeles County take longer than 45 minutes, contributing to severe traffic congestion and poor air quality. TRANSIT ACCESS AND JOBS IN LOS ANGELES 07 case study FACING PAGE Where in Los Angeles are residents giving up their cars for a downtown lifestyle? The deeper green areas in downtown Los Angeles and immediately to the northwest represent areas where Los Angeles residents take advantage of good pedestrian and transit access to jobs, education, health services, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, and other amenities. Many of these downtown Los Angeles residents are not likely to own cars and drive, sharing lifestyles more commonly found in New York City or Paris, France. Dodger Stadium Low Transit Score High Transit Score 0 10 Chinatown
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