Summary Madrid’s experience with its low-emission zones underscores the challenges and rewards of pursuing ambitious urban sustainability goals. Political shifts, court rulings and public debate all shaped its path; but the evolution of Madrid 360 highlights the value of staying persistent, adapting to change and grounding decisions in both evidence and broader sustainability strategies. By connecting environmental goals with health, legal and transport concerns, the city built a foundation for a cleaner, more resilient future. For other cities facing similar challenges, Madrid’s story offers both warnings and a roadmap for real progress.Economic and business impact Madrid’s LEZ experience reveals the importance of adaptive policy design for maintaining commercial vitality. The initial Madrid Central Zone faced significant pushback from local merchants, with 82% of surveyed businesses reporting financial losses and an average sales decline of 13.2% in the early months.30 In response, the Madrid 360 Strategy for Environmental Sustainability introduced more flexible access rules for commercial vehicles, easing delivery constraints and aligning business access rights with those of residents.31 These adjustments, alongside improvements in public transport and urban logistics, are helping to stabilize retail turnover in the central district. Takeaway: Economic sustainability in low-emission zones requires balancing environmental goals with commercial functionality, engaging local business stakeholders and continuously refining policy tools to support urban economic resilience. Contributors Stanislas Hillen ECP Spring 2025, Centre for Urban Transformation Madrid City Council Department of Urban Planning, Environment and Mobility Acknowledgements Vivian Brady-Phillips Head, Strategic Initiatives, Centre for Urban Transformation Adrienne Gibbs Lead, Urban Mobility, Centre for Urban Transformation

Madrid 360 low emissions zone 2025