Cycle and pedestrian transformation of the road along the large Poetto Beach in Cagliari- Sardinia
The project involves more than 7 km along the service road that runs along the Poetto beach, also known as the "beach of one hundred thousand". The carriageway, which in recent years had turned into a crowded and messy parking lot, is now totally dedicated to cycling mobility and pedestrian, with an intervention that transformed the classic "self-dependence" of the tourist and the Cagliari resident.
Dotted with refreshment activities, the route is now frequented daily by thousands of people, most of them on foot but also runners and cyclists (only one lane remains for the needs of service vehicles and the few residents).
The long walk is perfectly integrated with the possibility of bathing ... according to the hours the level of crowding and the type of visitors changes, involving families, friendly groups, young and old from early morning until late at night
The action shows that the pedestrianization intervention is also wealth: the road to time dedicated to parking and the vehicular flow has completely changed the function and the users and has itself become a square, a promenade, a tourist attraction

Resources needed

Riqualificazione e recupero eco-sostenibile del Lungomare Poetto 12.922.378,00 €

Evidence of success

The route has become an important section of the tourist economy of the city, and the pre-existing small refreshment activities have experienced a significant increase in profits. The new pedestrian path was also a success from the point of view of the diffusion of mobility on public transport: it is in fact accessible from the city center with discreetly frequent air-conditioned buses, which go to establish themselves as an alternative to the old car habit in town.

Difficulties encountered

Specific lanes are dedicated to cyclists and runners. But in crowded conditions, limits emerge for cyclists (forced in single file), and for runners, the lane is at risk of "invasion" by distracted adults or children. Where possible, it is required to enlarge the beautiful cycle and pedestrian path

Potential for learning or transfer

The use of the car to reach the seaside resorts is a widespread practice in tourist areas, even where the number of users would justify the opening of public transport lines.
This often leads to jeopardizing the very possibility of reaching the site in an alternative way (by bicycle) due to excessive vehicular traffic along the access roads to the tourist site.
The action demonstrates that the pedestrianization intervention is also wealth: the road at the time dedicated to parking and vehicular flow has completely changed the function and users, and it is itself becoming “square", "tourist attraction" "promenade"

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Project
Main institution
Sardinia region
Location
Sardegna,
Start Date
December 2011
End Date
December 2013

Contact

Giovanni Vargiu Please login to contact the author.