Mobility, the current challenges of climate change, the importance of our health and the promotion of public transport have been some of the topics that have been exposed in the two tables held at the Forum City of this Monday.
The event, which was moderated by Alberto Guzmanwas welcomed by the director of DIARIO DE NOTICIAS, Joseba Santamaria, who highlighted the commitment of this newspaper to address the economic and social reality that surrounds us. Likewise, he considered during his presentation that beyond mitigating the emission of greenhouse gases, “people-centered urban, social and environmental planning” must be carried out, expelling traffic so that citizens are protagonists of urban environments. Pamplona, he said, “is a very comfortable city to drive motor vehicles” and new neighborhoods such as Lezkairu or Erripagaña “are not designed for pedestrians” and “contribute to facilitating motor vehicles” instead of sustainable mobility.
The president of the Foral Community of Navarra, Maria Chivite, was responsible for carrying out the institutional act and for highlighting the importance of the bicycle as a “sustainable transport alternative that is respectful of the environment”, in addition to recalling the sustainable mobility model that the Government of Navarra wants to extend to the entire Community, with which they want to promote a more inclusive and accessible territory where the use of the car is minimized. Likewise, she mentioned the investment of more than 12 million from the Next Generation funds in the Region of Pamplona “for the creation of a low emission zone”.
This was followed by the first panel discussion that served to learn about the principles of sustainable mobility and what lines Navarra is working on.
In this part participated Alfonso Gilsenator, attached to the Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda Committee of the Senate; bertha mirandaGeneral Director of Transport and Sustainable Mobility of the Government of Navarra; Manolo Enriquezpresident of the State Association of Sustainability and Architecture ASA and Joaquin Salanueva, Engineer of roads, canals and ports; and director of VS Services and Urbanism.
Alfonso Gil explained what the principles of sustainable mobility are, which must be above all “healthy and competitive, because the city needs to improve after the pandemic.”
In this context, Berta Miranda detailed what are the principles of sustainable mobility that Navarra is carrying out through the Government, recalling what is being worked on in this legislature and it is “the commitment to the bicycle, to creating cycling infrastructures, which citizens move safely by bicycle and that it is done with awareness, especially towards the little ones”.
For his part, Manolo Enríquez reflected on the new model of sustainable development. “Society must be increasingly inclusive, more accessible. Mobility is one more element”. On the other hand, Joaquín Salanueva, pointed out that for mobility to be sustainable it has to meet three concepts: that it be socially useful, that it be environmentally appropriate and that it be economically viable.
Mobility and accessibility
A space for everyone
After these interventions, the second table began, which served to learn the keys to improving transport and connectivity between municipalities. In this table participated: louis marriedresponsible for the Ideas Foundationfor social inclusion; Mikel Astizchief of the Burlada Municipal Police; Eneko AstigarragaCEO of Oraintxe y losune Murilloresponsible for physical preparation performance in the Kernpharma cycling team.
Luis Casado put on the table the difficulties that people with functional diversity encounter when leaving home. “In Spain there are 100,000 people who cannot leave their homes. It is a reality that must be solved. People with disabilities cannot sometimes leave our block with comfort, safety and autonomy. The cities make it difficult for us”.
Next, Mikel Astiz offered his point of view on how cities should be designed so that each transport has its space. “First there are the pedestrians, then the cyclist, public transport, merchandise and finally the private vehicle, which should have a leading role on other roads but not in urban centers.” Eneko Astigarraga, in the commitment of his business to the bicycle for decades, added that “for us, the bike was evidence that is available to all citizens.”
Lastly, losune Murillo, as a regular user of the bicycle, defended this means of transport at the Hiria Forum “by improving the quality of life and health, by enhancing physical abilities as well as giving a feeling of freedom.”
Also present at the event was the Minister of the Department of Territorial Cohesion of the Government of Navarra, Bernardo Ciriza, who carried out the institutional closure. The counselor advocated designing a new concept of mobility that is inclusive and transversal, that promotes more respectful ways of moving without damaging the environment.
Likewise, he was convinced that “we will be able to achieve sustainable development in the region of Pamplona and of our entire Community”.
