Pedestrian zones and PlayTime – Municipal Parklets
Summary
Under the theme “Rescuing Public Space for Pedestrians”, these initiatives aim to dynamize and improve the use of public space, promoting inclusion and accessibility.
- Zonas Pedonais Temporárias – Temporary pedestrian zones
The municipal measure is part of a plan to reclaim public space, aiming to promote a new leisure and shopping experience in the city. Additionally, within the framework of a commitment to sustainability, it also seeks to encourage citizens towards a more conscious mobility, less dependent on cars and more focused on the use of soft modes of transportation for their journeys.
In addition to the measures that the city council had already been preparing in order to propose alternatives to the use of individual transportation in the urban environment – such as encouraging the use of soft modes and the expansion and improvement of the cycle path network – the need to rethink the use of public space has also arisen.
In these areas, new temporary and removable urban furniture will be introduced for a more comfortable use of the space. This new use of public space is accompanied by colored markings on the pavement.
- Parklets Municipais – Municipal Parklets
These are areas reclaimed from the road network, often installed in parking spaces, promoting walking and offering pedestrian comfort spaces.
In the context of a strategy to promote pedestrianization of public spaces in the city, coordinated with the results of a digital mapping analysis of pedestrian traffic, the pilot artery was considered as an axis with great potential, both as a final destination – with a concentration of commercial establishments, restaurants and/or bars, services and some equipment – and for its capacity to offer options for other destinations.
Taking into account the desire expressed by the local merchants to increase the capacity of that public space to accommodate pedestrians, the necessary conditions are met for the implementation of this pilot project.
Website: https://www.cm-porto.pt/
Key facts
Main target group: Both younger and older people (i.e. intergenerational)
Sector(s): Urban development
Desired outcome for older people:
Be mobile