This Italian region now has Europe’s highest Tibetan bridge
It’s not for the faint-hearted
Salvador García-Ayllón riding an e-scooter on the streets of Cartagena (Spain), Source: Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena
This is what the analysis by researchers from Spain and Cyprus points to
At least the cities will get cleaner. This is how most of the frustrated urban residents tried to seek calm and composure in the chaos of a COVID pandemic and resulting lockdowns and restrictions on mobility. Many also saw the parallel rise in micromobility options, such as e-scooters and e-bikes as a paradigm shift that will inspire people to ditch their personal cars or even crowded public transit.
According to researchers from the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT) (Spain) and the Cyprus University of Technology, however, the trend in the wake of recovering from the pandemic seems to point in the exact opposite direction.
"The habit of using the private car has been reinforced," remarks Salvador García-Ayllón who is the researcher from the UPCT School of Roads and Mines. This phenomenon is not being compensated by the strong increase in the use of electric scooters, as can be seen from the pollution rates in cities.
According to Mr García-Ayllón these dynamics hold true across the board in Europe. The research carried out a geostatistical spatial analysis of the relationship between the variation in the behaviour patterns of urban mobility and the evolution of pollution levels in different parts of the cities in the years 2019, 2020 and 2021.
"In many European cities urban centres and entry points, that are traditionally more saturated by traffic, have increased their levels of pollution despite the fact that these levels were initially reduced by the pandemic,” he added.
The researchers conclude that relying on micromobility alone would not be enough to bring about a radical change in air quality – in fact, the trendy popularity might be masking what really goes on. The scientists instead propose to local authorities to put their focus on something else.
"The change in mobility habits due to the pandemic makes the implementation of low-emission zones more necessary, which will be mandatory by law in all cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants as of 2023.” That is the advice offered by Salvador García-Ayllón.
What are the reasons for that and are there any possible solutions for that problem?
Possibly making it the only legislature in the world with a religious temple on-site
It’s not for the faint-hearted
Presenting the next chapter in the Dutch capital’s ‘Stay Away’ campaign aimed at rowdy tourists
The City says this has become a necessity due to the increasing number of incidents involving these vehicles
That way you can notify a canal lock keeper to open the gates so the animals can swim through
The organizers had been considering different Parisian spots, but always with the idea of the flame being visible to the people
Electricity production in that Eastern European country will not release direct CO2 emissions anymore
Possibly making it the only legislature in the world with a religious temple on-site
This initiative is not just about making books more accessible – it has larger ambitions in its sights
We owe the unusual cultural icon to this country in Europe
The country’s capital has been a pioneer in crafting policy and initiatives to improve coexistence between people and pets
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team