Parma and Reggio Emilia on the front line against urban traffic

For a couple of weeks now, school desks have welcomed thousands of students of all ages, after months of absence.

It was a problematic return from many points of view, with notable repercussions above all on the city and traffic mobility: an increase of 300% in the queues present in Rome and Milan has been estimated, like a snake of approximately 60 km in total of cars lined up.

Without thinking about public transport: kids with - and without - masks crowding together to get to their destination, endless queues to access the means of transport, lots of chaos and let's face it, an underlying fear of being infected.

More and more solutions are being sought to overcome the countless problems and two interesting proposals come from Emilia Romagna.

To promote sustainable mobility and a healthy lifestyle compatible with home-school travel, the proposal comes from the Parma area “Parma changes space”.

“Parma changes space”

The city's modification plan began on 14 September and proposes school streets, new cycle paths, Zone 30 and large communication campaigns aimed at changing citizens' habits and reducing urban traffic, consequently reducing traffic jams and pollution.

Among the most immediate actions will be the blocking of motorized traffic in the streets near the school buildings and the installation of information panels that explain the road conversion in a playful and stimulating way.

Furthermore, panels with "Metrominuto Maps" will be installed in front of the schools to show students how advantageous it is to reach school on foot or by bicycle.

To inform citizens of the changes in traffic and the resulting benefits to residents, information panels will be installed in the surrounding areas.

The project is now being tested on Via Paciaudi and Via Magnani, but will also be extended to other school centers by also spreading fun activities in the classrooms to reward more responsible behavior and in line with more sustainable policies.

The new communication campaign comes from the Reggio area: “On foot you are a dragon”.

“Will you take me on your bike?”

A campaign aimed at reducing traffic and achieving greater urban safety, through allegories and plays on words and with an appeal to parents and children: "Support a good movement: clean air, less traffic and full health".

This will be the first of many initiatives that will try to explain to the little ones but, above all to their parents, the many good reasons that should push us to abandon the car in favor of other means of travel.

Training the little ones to considerably increase travel by bike or on foot: this is the basic thought of the councilor for the environment and mobility of Reggio Emilia, Carlotta Bonvicini.

“It's not just about reducing traffic at peak times or having better air quality, but about raising new generations by showing them that moving around actively is possible, beautiful and safe” , said the Councillor.

Children will also be involved directly, through a contest held in primary schools, asking them to give a name to the little dragon, the campaign's mascot.

Finally, the Councilor wanted to clarify that, in the coming weeks, maintenance work will be carried out on the cycle paths and the construction of further kilometers of dedicated paths and lanes.

Parma and Reggio Emilia, two examples of how sensitivity combined with creativity can give life to interesting and civic-minded initiatives, to educate today's little ones to be more responsible and aware adults tomorrow.

We hope to be able to write more and more often about beautiful initiatives like these!