From now on, ensuring more sustainable mobility has become a diktat for all countries who consider themselves to be civilised. Knowing that the environment is at the centre of political attention can only satisfy people who have planted their roots in this country, as well as all those who will choose to live here in the future.
If today, numerous towns share their initiatives in terms of sustainable mobility, can we ask ourselves whether the majority of Italian towns have met their environmental objectives in a satisfactory manner?
The conclusion of studies conducted in Italy has revealed two realities; namely, a country which is working at two speeds, where the difference between the north and the south is becoming more marked. The north is the land of innovation and has invested in environmental issues - it is more intuitive and proactive regarding the plans to be implemented; and the sleepy south which is resistant to the themes of ecology, except for a few virtuous towns that have conformed with the most recent policies in terms of mobility.
Consequently, it‘s in the north that there are better public transport facilities, the most efficient bike sharing and car sharing schemes and logistic platforms for goods, as well as the highest number of vehicles running on LPG and methane. In the north, with a particular distinction between various towns, long cycle paths, separate traffic lanes reserved for public transport, taxis and private coaches are all a reality.
Becoming the leader of the “Green city” initiative is what we all aspire to, but in order for this to become reality, urban planning companies must act intelligently and with a long-term vision. Above all, they must involve all sectors of industry and develop sensitivity and public-spiritedness in the majority of people in order to engender technological changes and new life habits.
The motor industry, in turn, has not ignored the environmental stakes. Indeed, in Italy and abroad, we will soon see the latest generation of environmentally-friendly vehicles on the road, namely, electric vehicles, the demand for which is constantly increasing.
Giovanna Votano is co-director of the website mobilitasostenibile.it, which is where new features, developments and best practices concerning sustainable mobility and innovative solutions for local public transport can be found.
Towns take pride of place this week; placing their inhabitants’ quality of life ...
Liu
2 octobre 2010
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