Braga – inclusive and intelligent sustainable urban mobility for all!
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23 August 2017Braga Municipality has the strategic goal to change the paradigm and promoting sustainable, inclusive and intelligent mobility. As private transport is still very used in Braga, it is intended to invert the modal pyramid. Braga gathers all the conditions to become a cycle-friendly city. On the other hand, about a third of the population shows at least on kind of physical impairment that conditions their mobility. So, public space design shall respond to this reality. Aiming to achieve the Strategic Vision of promoting sustainable, inclusive and intelligent mobility, Braga is developing several projects.
1. PEDESTRIAN NETWORK – “EU JÁ PASSO AQUI!”
This project originated as an answer to a suggestion from the Participative Budget 2016, which was named “Eu Não Passo Aqui!” (I cannot go through!). The project aims to exhaustively analyze the existing walkable conditions, in order to remove obstacles or any other elements that jeopardize the concept of “mobility for all”. The final goal is to invert the premise into a positive message: “Eu Já Passo Aqui!” (I can already go through!).
2. REQUALIFICATION OF URBAN ENVIRONMENT OF FOUR NEIGHBOURHOODS (Montélios, Torre Europa, Makro, Quinta das Fontes)
These pilot projects have as general goals the humanization of public space, the promotion of sustainable modes, the improvement of accessibilities to physically impaired people, parking management, traffic and road safety, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and noise reduction.
3. MANAGING THE ACCESS TO THE PEDESTRIAN AREA FOR CARGO OPERATIONS
This project aims to redefine urban logistics operations in the pedestrian area, avoiding the excessive presence of cars/vans.
4. CYCLING NETWORK
The implementation of cycle paths is the first step to convert urban design into a more humanized one. This way, it is very important to create a cycling network for increasing safety and fostering the change of mindset, trying to disseminate this mode, so that the city begins to adapt to environmental and quality of life needs. In this context, Braga developed a cycling network according to previous studies and diagnoses. This was articulated with other structuring projects, such as “U-Bike” from the University of Minho.
5. INSERTION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT LANES IN RODOVIA (MAIN EAST-WEST ROAD IN BRAGA)
This project consists in establishing a strategy of inserting dedicated lanes of public transport, whenever possible, on this road. The intention is to provide better mobility conditions, but also comfort and safety for pedestrians.
6. IMPROVEMENT OF CROSSWALKS
This project aims to create an inclusive pedestrian network, using tactile paving, sidewalk and crosswalk leveling, or if not possible, curb lowering with comfortable slopes.
7. LIVING LABORATORIES FOR DECARBURIZATION
In order to achieve a quick change in public space, Braga aims to create “tactical urbanism” projects in specific areas, using temporary interventions and involving the community and local groups to change their perspective of public space.
Submitted by Olaf Lewald on