The EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Participation Report for 2016 is now available to read online, providing a detailed analysis of the 2016 campaign's performance in comparison to previous editions. EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK 2016 had the highest participation rate ever witnessed by the campaign, with 2,427 participating towns and cities. This figure means that there were over 550 more participating cities than in 2015, and more than 150 compared to the previous record, set five years earlier.

As in previous editions of the campaign, Austria, Spain and Hungary were the top three countries in terms of participation. Each country witnessed a significant improvement in participation compared to 2015, with Austria adding 68 cities, Spain adding 73, and Hungary adding 32. Belgium experienced the greatest increase, with 82 extra towns and cities participating compared to 2015, leading to a total of 117 participants.

This year also saw the trend in increased levels of Car-Free Day participation continue, with 953 towns and cities closing their street(s) to traffic "“ 47 more than in 2015 and 170 more than in 2014. As well as participation statistics, the report includes information on visitors to www.mobilityweek.eu and growth in the campaign's social media channels, as well as campaign highlights, conclusions and recommendations.

To view the report, click here.Image copyright: Image (Verkéiersverbond) more   7 December 2016 ICLEI-supported action plan to address inequality launched in ParisA new action plan produced by the OECD and supported by ICLEI aims to tackle inequality in cities. The Paris Action Plan for Inclusive Growth in Cities was launched in the French capital on 21 November as part of the OECD Inclusive Cities initiative.

Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris, hosted the event. ICLEI was represented by Wolfgang Teubner, Regional Director for Europe.

Angel Gurrà­a, Secretary-General of the OECD, pointed out that cities often record the highest level of inequality in their country, with health, education, and access to labour markets all displaying "staggering disparities".

The Paris Action Plan invites mayors to commit to work together to ensure that in cities across the world every member of society has the chance to succeed regardless of background, income, or age.

In this scope, the action plan aims to create inclusive local labour markets, ensure that investments in housing and urban development connect people to economic opportunities, certify that education and training systems address inequality, and leverage investments in transport and public services to generate returns for inclusion and sustainability.

An emphasis is placed on creating employment opportunities for women, youth, seniors, immigrants, people with disabilities, and people of varying social and ethnic backgrounds. The integration of migrants and refugees into urban societies is also addressed in the plan, with recommendations including the provision of language training and supporting access to housing and education opportunities.

The plan is an integral component of broader international agendas that aim to advance more sustainable, inclusive and resilient cities, notably the implementation of the UN-Sustainable Development Goal 11, the recently adopted New Urban Agenda, and the Paris Climate Agreement.

ICLEI has been part of the OECD Inclusive Cities initiative since its launch in March 2016. The Paris Action Plan complements the Basque Declaration, which expresses the need for local-level transformation to create productive, sustainable and resilient cities.

To view the strategy, click here.Image copyright: Image (OECD) , licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 more

» Publication Date: 08/12/2016

» Source: Iclei Europe

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