Good practice:

Boosting Multimodality: Universal and Inclusive Mobility for Pedestrians

The Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan strategy in Funchal has outlined as an important action in terms of mobility, measures to reduce the use of individual motorized transport. One of the actions that has been implemented throughout the city core is improving the attractiveness of the central area through the implementation of several measures to foster pedestrian mobility and improve conditions for people with disabilities. Therefore, this practice consists in reinforcing the pedestrian network through the enlargement of pedestrian lanes and implementation of road markings to facilitate the circulation for citizens with sensorial disabilities, allowing a safer and improved inclusive mobility. Intermodality is fostered considering that the access for these areas is now restricted for pedestrians which means that citizens that uses private motorized vehicles needs to park outside these closed areas. These areas had an attractiveness boost through the implementation of urban furniture that also contributed positively not only to increase the flow of pedestrians in the area but also to improve local economy. In addition, it should be noted that there was a reduction of greenhouse emissions.

The intervention, including civil works and urban refurbishment costed 297.700 € and 54.000 €. The intervention costs were co-funded by the operational Programme Madeira 14-20 (FEDER), following a successfull application focused on measures related to decarbonisation.

It was possible to conclude that the measure contributed positively to increase both the air quality and urban attractiveness within the area. In terms of traffic flow, according to counts carried out before and after the implementation, there was a decrease of 81,6% of cars accessing the area (only emergency and load and unload vehicles are allowed to enter). In terms of greenhouse pollutants annual emissions, we estimate an annual reduction of 0,57 (Ton/CO2).

• Need for throughout planning for traffic circulation in the surrounding area;
• Measure needs to be reinforced by other actions to boost local economy;
• Technical skills to estimate pollutants emissions.

Implementing measures towards the promotion of soft modes and restrict the access to motorized vehicles in the city core is a vital part of achieving the paradigm envisioned by the European Comission regarding sustainable mobility and accessibility. Although this good practice was met with initial resistance, the intervention is now being perceived as relevant in improving accessibility conditions whilst contributing to increase the actractiveness within the area. In order to achieve a wider success, it´s crucial to involve stakeholders, assess their needs and forge a communication campaign tailored to a specific target group. Its also crucial to evaluate what sources of funding are available to ensure implementation.