The Serbian city Kruševac impressed the jury with its wide range of activities, underpinned by strong citizen participation and political support from the local government. Even the mayor was ‘walking the walk’, coming to work by foot to help spread this year’s mobility message. During European Mobility Week, the city streets had enjoyed a new burst of life without cars, not only in the centre – which was taken over by pedestrians – but also in the suburbs, where people organised a variety of activities. The face of the city was also transformed, with the installation of new cycle paths, walkways, public squares, urban parks, benches and even swings.
The installation of cycling lanes and the printing of public transport map – as well as the participation in the EMW 2019 – had been supported by the GIZ Open Regional Fund for South-East Europe – Energy Efficiency (GIZ ORF-EE).
The campaign also positively affected all other participants of the European Mobility Week. In 23 municipalities and the six capitals of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, citizens and local leaders explored their streets and experimented with transport innovations. The mayors of the six capitals of the region served as Sustainable Urban Mobility Ambassadors. In an online conference, the mayors or their representatives shared experiences and the capitals’ best practices of urban mobility.
The enthusiasm and broad participation of citizens and local leaders is captured in a video produced by GIZ ORF-EE. It serves as both a souvenir and inspiration for new urban mobility ideas and activities.
The European Mobility Week is an annual initiative of the European Commission for Sustainable Urban Mobility. The campaign is looking for ways to influence mobility and urban transport, as well as to improve public health and quality of life.
Click here for a video on last year’s activities for sustainable urban mobility in the Western Balkans.
Contact: Julia Nagel
Further information:
https://balkangreenenergynews.com/video-mayors-of-western-balkans-capitals-as-sustainable-urban-mobility-ambassadors/
The project on Sustainable Urban Mobility in South-East European Countries (SUMSEEC II) is implemented by the GIZ Open Regional Fund for South-East Europe – Energy Efficiency and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
