The Global EcoMobility Forum: Reinventing Urban Mobility took place in Almada (Portugal) on 16 September, and saw Konrad Otto-Zimmermann, Creative Director of the Urban Idea and former Secretary General of ICLEI, and Gil Peà±alosa, Founder and Chair of the Board of 8 80 Cities, present and share creative and innovative solutions to successfully respond to the mobility issues facing cities around the world, helping them to become vibrant, dynamic, healthy and accessible.

The two speakers talked about the need for a more equitable distribution of public space and promoted sustainable and eco-efficient transport modes that foster increased economic activity. Other issues addressed include congestion, air and noise pollution, high energy consumption, CO2 emissions, excessive appropriation of public space by cars, road accidents and the consequent reduction of the attractiveness of cities as accessible spaces for socialisation and enjoyment.

The event was attended by participants from city councils; central government; transport operators; environment, energy and development agencies; NGOs; universities; students and interested members of the public.

For more information, click here.Image copyright: Image (Flickr) by "EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK", licensed under CC BY 2.0 more   20 September 2016 London Smartathon sees enthusiastic discussion on smarticipate platformAround 60 participants gathered in Kensington Town Hall on an overcast Saturday morning for the first ever "˜Smartathon', a meeting to gather residents' input on the upcoming smarticipate platform. The aim was to allow residents to voice concerns and to help shape the final tool. The event was held in the context of the EU-funded smarticipate project. The meeting saw spirited debate, with a range of questions, criticisms, concerns and congratulations directed from the floor at those presenting the tool.

Residents asked pointed questions about the use of open data, citing safety and privacy issues. The smarticipate team was pleased to hear such engaged and astute debate, and will take the concerns raised on board when designing the final product. After an introduction from Paul McDonald, information services strategist with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Andries Geerse from smarticipate partner WeLoveTheCities presented a fictional "˜urban story' for London in which residents use the smarticipate platform to develop a football field. This urban story gave participants a better idea of the platform's capabilities.

After this, residents broke into smaller groups to discuss the platform and to look at the specifics of the urban story scenario. Each group was situated at a table, with each table assigned a leader. At the end of the day, the table leaders stood up and presented the outcomes of the discussion. Many of those with serious reservations about the platform had a more positive view of smarticipate by the end of the session.

For more information, visit the smarticipate website.Image copyright: Image (ICLEI) by "Joseph Marshment-Howell" more

» Publication Date: 21/09/2016

» Source: Iclei Europe

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