Nemotorize

Nemotorize is a verb used in urban planning and transportation policy to describe the act or policy of reducing or eliminating motorized transport in a defined area or system, with the aim of shifting toward non-motorized or low-emission mobility. The term is a neologism formed from motorize with a negating prefix, and it appears in discussions about how cities reorganize streets and transit to favor walking, cycling, and public transport. It is sometimes written as nemotorise in British English, and is also seen in forms such as non-motorize or de-motorize in different contexts.

In practice, nemotorization encompasses policies and design strategies such as pedestrianization of streets, expansion of bicycle networks, creation of car-free zones, traffic calming, vehicle access restrictions, and increased investment in public transit. It is used to frame approaches that reduce car dependency and encourage alternative modes of transport.

Supporters argue that nemotorization can improve air quality, reduce congestion, and promote public health and livability. Critics point to potential challenges, including mobility for residents with limited transit options, economic effects on businesses that rely on car access, and the need for comprehensive, equitable planning and supporting infrastructure.

The concept intersects with related ideas like demotorization, de-automobilization, car-free movements, and transit-oriented development. Its application varies by region and scale, from street-level interventions to wider regional planning, and it remains a topic of ongoing debate in sustainable mobility and urban design discourse.