Towards a (+) sustainable mobility in València Policies and objectives in the area of mobility and public space of the City Council of A city is a space shared by many people – in addition to residents. The wide variety of economic activities, administrative services, cultural Moving around in València attractions, and leisure events, creates countless opportunities every Data shows that almost half of the journeys It is necessary to reorient this mobility day, while generating many journeys. made in the city of València are on foot; towards public by improving Private motorised traffic has grown to an excessive volume in Valencia a small (but noticeably increasing) share coordination, favouring intermodality, and is causing serious problems. This is due to the size of our city, the amount is made by bicycle; another large part offering unified tickets, and improving of space traditionally given to motorised vehicles, and the size of the greater by ; and only one in five schedules and frequencies. For this, it is metropolitan area (which adds as much population as the city of Valencia itself). journeys are made by car or motorcycle. necessary to obtain fair funding from the Among the problems caused by excessive traffic volumes, we must highlight: traffic However, when traveling to, or from, central government (which subsidises accidents; air pollution; noise; penalisation of pedestrian journeys; rush hour the greater Metropolitan Area, the public transport in and , congestion; the occupation by cars of most of the valuable urban space; and the private vehicle (car and motorcycle) is but not in València), and hire more drivers expulsion from our streets of the most vulnerable groups – such as children, the the predominant mode of transport: (prohibited by the government in recent elderly, and people with reduced mobility. We must change the model of mobility representing almost three out of every four years). It would also be beneficial to favour to avoid, or minimise, these problems and move towards a more sustainable city. journeys. The cause has been dispersed car-sharing, and create a metropolitan urban growth and a lack of forecast, as well cycling network so that people can cycle JOAN RIBÓ. Mayor of València as a lack of investment in public transport. between the cities surrounding València.

INTERNAL EXTERNAL MOVEMENTS MOVEMENTS 5,3%

23,6% To improve the quality of life and the competitiveness of Valencia, 53% the council leadership is dealing with crucial tasks that have been 72,5% 22,2% pending for decades. The solution, as demonstrated in many cities around us, is to favour pedestrian and bicycle mobility, expand 23,4% an attractive and non-polluting public transport system, and consequently, reduce the role of motorised vehicles (cars and motorcycles) in urban mobility. Source: PMUS 2013 There are essential activities for the life of a city that necessarily involve transport, such as commercial distribution, public services, and emergency services. But there are proven technical alternatives that minimise the cost and environmental impact of motorised transport: parking management; better public information; and the use of electric vehicles or cargo tricycles. Residents have the right to A Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for València access their homes and garages, and shoppers and visitors must be able to access A Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP, of policies, actions, and transport the many commercial and public car-parks. However, it is necessary to establish PMUS in Spain) is a tool used in all our in the city. These guidelines priorities, accept some limits on access, and recover part of the public road neighbouring nations to help cities change must be translated into a set of coherent space for those users who have been neglected: pedestrians, cyclists, and bus their mobility model, and show the way and coordinated proposals that encourage passengers. Achieving a more sustainable mobility needs mutual understanding towards more sustainable and efficient a change in habits, and make sustainable and public participation. mobility patterns. mobility more attractive. A mobility plan analyses the existing València City Council approved an urban GIUSSEPPE GREZZI. Deputy Mayor for Sustainable Mobility situation and problems, and proposes mobility plan in December 2013. Now is various mobility strategies. These strategies the time to transform the plan’s aims into include guidelines for the development actions, changes, and realities.

CREDITS EDITA Idea and texts: Vicent Torres Design: Jorge Soriano (Locandia Estudio) Photograpies: Pilar Albelda Section of linguistic normalisation, documentary and corporate image. City Council of València December 2017 A city

Most journeys in the city are made that walks on foot, and so it is necessary to protect pedestrian mobility by Fairer balance of space facilitating safe and in the streets obstacle-free routes. ·Favour pedestrians, who until now were discriminated against. ·Expand and gradually protect pedestrian streets and cross-city walkways.

Progressive expansion of pedestrian space ·Widen pavements and remove obstructions. ·Create safe and comfortable walkways for pedestrians between neighbourhoods, and towards Limit traffic the city centre. on some streets ·Create safe routes for ·Preference for residents. walking to schools. ·Add landscaping and street furniture. Improved ·Create small areas to sit, crossings rest, and chat ·Lengthen crossing times ·Reduce traffic near schools. at pedestrian crossings. ·Create new pedestrian crossings Regulate access to where necessary. neighbourhoods in “The pedestrian has the the Old City centre right to live in urban or ·Eliminate pedestrian bridges village centres tailored to (with their awkward stairs and ramps), ·Introduce entry and exit traffic loops . the needs of human beings and replace them with protected ·Prevent ‘rat-running’ through the city and not to the needs of pedestrian crossings. centre. the motor car, and to have ·Improve pedestrian walkways in tunnels ·Reserve parking for residents. Combined action amenities within walking on major roads. ·Install access control systems with programmes in or cycling distance... has cameras. neighbourhoods the exclusive right to short routes that are safe, logical, ·Regulate traffic to give priority and inter-connected… to residents. the right to complete and ·Enforce speed limits. unimpeded mobility, which ·Implement ‘superblocks’ can be achieved through the (mini-neighbourhoods with vehicle integrated use of the means access limited to residents of transport…” and services). ·Recover and humanise public space European Charter of Pedes- and create small central areas in each trians’ Rights (European neighbourhood. Parliament, 1988) A city

We must facilitate the normal use of bicycles of bicycles as an everyday mode of transport. Since our city Ensure an adequate enjoys optimal conditions cycling for cycling, we are aiming ·Create a cycle network that encompasses to make València the the whole city. cycling capital of the ·With a suitable, direct, and safe design ·Extend the cycle network to more Mediterranean: neighbourhoods. ·Increase the number of bicycle parking racks. ·Connect València with the towns and cities in the metropolitan area.

Install safe local bicycle ·Favour the connection of public parking facilities transport with cycling routes, installing bicycle parking racks next to stations ·Install bicycle parking racks on the and transport interchanges. road (rather than the pavement). ·Encourage the installation of bicycle parking racks inside public and private Keep in order and improve buildings. the existing network ·Eliminate inefficiencies and inappropriate designs. ·Move cycle paths from the pavement to the road. ·Finish uncompleted links. “Everybody, including children, has the right to ride a bicycle… ·Protect cycle paths on the busiest roads. cities must provide safe, easy ·Better regulate bike lanes on roads to use, and useful cycling shared with cars by enforcing speed limits. paths, where it is possible to ·Signpost cycle throughout the city cycle and avoid conflicts with (for regular users and tourists). other road users... ”

Sevilla Manifesto (Spanish Network of Cities for Cycling, 2009) Public transport:

We must improve the competitiveness of the system the municipal bus service (EMT), so that more people use that València buses and fewer people travel by car. This means better management, and deserves coordination with the other public transport systems in the metropolitan area. Adapt the bus network to new needs ·Study the mobility needs of the population. ·Design a bus network that is less radial and better connected. ·Improve access to bus stops. ·Renew the bus fleet with cleaner and Improved intermodality, Metropolitan Area Transport Plan. non-polluting vehicles: coordination, and ·Obtain subsidies and grants from hybrid and electric vehicles. integration of urban the central government that will ·Better communication with users. and interurban public enable an improvement and renewal transport of the fleet and the hiring of more staff for the municipal bus system and other Establish interchanges ·Create a coordinating authority for public transport systems. between bus routes public transport systems. around the Old City centre ·Integrate the metropolitan area bus Support for taxis ·Make transfers between system in the city (MetroBus). buses easier. ·Create metropolitan bus interchanges ·Give access to zones otherwise closed ·Avoid the duplication of routes with València’s underground train to general traffic. on the same access roads system (Metro) and municipal bus ·Encourage their shared use. to the centre. system (EMT). ·Enable their use as a part of public ·Avoid the blocking of bus stops ·Cooperate in the preparation of a transport. due to buses arriving simultaneously. Good public transport helps cities to prosper and achieve Faster municipal buses their economic, environmental, and social aspirations... people ·Install protected and segregated bus lanes can access city centres and, on busy main roads. at the same time... public ·Enforce the prohibition for car drivers space can be used for walking, to ride or park on bus lanes. cycling, and relaxing… so that ·Find alternatives instead of car parking people can enjoy our cities. in bus lanes at night. International Association of ·Introduce traffic light preference for public Public Transport (UITP, 2009) transport, for both municipal buses and trams. Motor vehicles:

Cars and motorcycles will a more still be used in the city, but their users must adapt rational use to a new urban scenario. There will be fewer motor vehicles, and their speeds Fairer distribution will be regulated to protect of road space other road users. The use ·More space for pedestrians, public of motor vehicles must transport, and cyclists. become more efficient, ·Even if this means a reduction in general cleaner, and safer. traffic lanes. ·Reorganisation of traffic flows so that the City centre and residential streets stop being used as shortcuts or ‘rat-runs’ for non-local traffic. ·Access to public car-parks and shopping malls in the centre, but using the least ·Parking spaces on the road for Encourage technological impactful routes from suburban bypass motorcycles, rather than on the renovation pavement . roads. ·Encourage the use of electric cars and ·Encourage the allocation of parking motorcycles. spaces for motorcycles in public car ·Facilitate the installation of recharging parks. points for electric vehicles.

“...users must be motivated to opt for a vehicle that is more respectful of the environment and more efficient in terms of energy consumption, as well as alternative modes of transport, including “green” modes and a rational use of the vehicle... The objective An active must be to convert the car parking policy into another option, and ·Reorganise on-street parking, giving not into a created need preference to people with reduced (imposed on individuals).” mobility, residents, and commercials vans for loading and unloading goods. Green Book on ·Encourage the use of underground the Impact of Transport car parks (currently under-utilised). (European Commission, 1992) Safer

This involves establishing mobility actions and proposals for quieter and safer streets, Widespread use of respecting the appropriate ‘traffic calming’ techniques speed limits for each street, ·Changes in road design and signals. and minimising the health ·Enforcing greater road discipline and safety risks produced for all users. by traffic. this includes ·Traffic calming and a considerable reducing urban pollution, reduction in traffic volume near schools. which causes more deaths and health problems than Prevent the high speed traffic accidents since it that is the cause of most affects the respiratory tract, fatal accidents damages the body organs, ·Extend 30 kph speed limits in the centre and aggravates chronic and residential neighbourhoods. ·Work towards a goal of ‘zero serious stations that were removed from accidents’. central areas in the city. diseases. ·Widen the number of ‘30 zones’ with pedestrian priority. ·Change road design so that similar ·Continuous publication of information accidents cannot occur. on pollution levels. Apply a ‘zero vision’ ·Reduce non-essential traffic. approach in Improve the quality ·Restricted access for the most the analysis of of urban air by reducing polluting vehicles. serious accidents pollution ·Prepare an action protocol for episodes of extreme pollution. ·Establish a goal of ‘zero accidental ·Control air quality throughout the city. road deaths’. ·Reposition the pollution measurement Intelligent

This means changing the management mobility of mobility so that everybody can move about – without exclusions. DECARBONIZING It involves facilitating TRANSPORT business in the city, while ·Facilitate the replacement reducing the impact of of vehicles powered by hydrocarbons commercial distribution. It for cleaner energy. means taking advantage ·Clearly encourage electric vehicles . ·Support the installation of recharging of new technologies for stations for electric vehicles. more sustainable ·Renew the fleet of municipal buses, and better managed mobility throughout the metropolitan area.

Use new information for mobility, and a transport plan for the technologies metropolitan area. ·Organize local public transport systems ·Extend and integrate technologies at a metropolitan level with unified (‘smart city’). ticketing. ·Make mobility information more ·Move towards a unified offer of transport accessible for travellers. services. ·Make buying tickets easier. ·Integrate urban design, regional planning, and infrastructure planning, Coordinate transportation with the criteria of sustainable mobility. planning and management and other public transport, ·Cooperate with the regional government by incorporating clean vehicles. in the creation of a coordinating authority Prioritise business mobility ·Make goods distribution “We shall give priority to more efficient and sustainable. ecologically sound means of transport (in particular walking, ·Reserve enough space for loading cycling, and public transport) and unloading in commercial streets, and make a combination of or near areas with greatest demand these means the center of our (commerce and leisure), planning efforts.” and free pedestrian streets from this function. The Aalborg Charter (European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns, 1994) Participative

This means communicating and mobility encouraging people

to develop and participate Inform people about in projects for more city council proposals sustainable mobility. ·Encourage public participation in the definition of projects. ·Introduce such participation before proposals are written, so that the needs of residents are better known and met.

Encourage continuous participation ·Continue the work of theValència Mobility Roundtable, which has been running since November 2015, with more than 80 organizations participating. ·Incorporate numerous interest groups: ·Advance towards an ‘Social consensus ·Enable proposals and public approval users, transport companies, businesses, state administrations – with Sustainable Mobility’. for micro-project investments in everybody listening to others and sharing neighborhoods, through participatory city projects. Enable new systems budgeting (many projects being ·Propose and coordinate actions in plenary for communication related to sustainable mobility). council sessions and sectoral round-tables and making proposals (old city centre, public transport, school ·Use all communication systems and mobility, commercial distribution, road platforms to process and answer queries, safety, cycling, etc.). criticisms, and suggestions from the public.

The Mobility Round-table aims to encourage debate on the mobility of goods and people in the city of València, on the needs and problems generated, and the prevention of foreseeable problems as a result of municipal actions, as well as those of other administrations and private organizations.

València Mobility Round-table (València City Council, 2015)

For a SUSTAINABLE TOWN, mobility must be :

Velocity 30 Clean Vehicles Calmed Traffic Energy Transition

Pollution controls

School Pathways

SAFE EFFICIENT Public Transportation Priority

Shared streets SUSTAINABLE Smart City FARE METROPOLITAN MOBILITY IS... Interchange Pedestrian priority ACCESSIBLE PARTICIPATIVE Stations

Information Cyclist network

Metropolitan Mobility Agency AN INTEGRATED ARRAY OF ACTIONS Social Mobility Round-table THAT COMPLEMENT Consensus AND REINFORCE Taxi EACH OTHER