Filenews 20 July 2022 - by Vassos Vassiliou
Implementation of short-term measures on the road network, protection of public health, restriction of urban sprawl while increasing the density of the city, transparent consultation with citizens and social groups, policing and the enforcement of laws, safety of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users, suggests a group of citizens of various specialties, in the context of the elaboration of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) of Nicosia.
The suggestions are included in a letter sent by 42 co-signatories to the Consortium that has undertaken the elaboration of SUMP with notification to interested bodies and services.
An official of the Ministry of Transport told "F", that the purpose of the public consultation was done precisely in order to record ideas, opinions and suggestions that will be taken into account in the final planning with an update of all the suggestions expressed from time to time.
Regarding the timetable and the short-term actions, the 42 commenting on the promoted finalization of the plan within a period of about two years and its implementation in 10 years, after recording the continuous increase in the use of the car, express the position that "such a timetable is not able to respond effectively to the current threats to health and climate that we face due to mobility issues". They also consider that the timeline is unlikely to contribute to the fulfilment of the EU's 2030 Climate Target Plan, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. "SUMP Nicosia should focus on identifying and ensuring innovative, bold and effective short-term solutions that will be implemented as soon as possible, alongside the process of implementing the long-term solutions," the letter said.
On the public health aspect, it is stated that "SUMP Nicosia must recognize that mobility is, first and foremost, a serious and urgent public health issue". Further invoking the World Health Organization which estimates that 4.2 million people around the world die prematurely from outdoor air pollution every year. Therefore, it is added to the letter, "SUMP Nicosia should point out to all the competent Authorities of the Republic of Cyprus that the reduction of gas emissions from car traffic must be achieved quickly and drastically as a matter of public health. It is added that the relevant proposals of SUMP Nicosia for the reduction of car traffic should reflect this urgent priority and it is important that the Ministry of Health participates as a key stakeholder in the process of elaborating SUMP Nicosia.
Movement in fear of God
Finally, regarding safety, it is stated that based on the current conditions, neither pedestrians nor cyclists feel that they can move safely and comfortably in Nicosia, which is why a proposal is submitted for an increase in policing and enforcement of the law.
"The short-term and long-term goals of SUMP Nicosia must be directly linked to the global goal of reducing deaths and injuries from road collisions by at least 50% for the period 2021-2030, as recorded in the National Strategic Road Safety Plan 2021-30 but also by international organizations and the European Union where the Republic of Cyprus is a member state", concludes the letter.
They require consultation of the citizen
The 42 co-signatories, commenting on the aspect of density and polycentricity, observe that SUMP Nicosia should be in close cooperation with the Department of Urban Planning in order to limit urban sprawl and strategically increase the density of suitable sites to function as local centres and sub-centres. Policy frameworks are needed to achieve this goal, and it is important to find effective legislative tools that will support these actions, it says.
Regarding the "consultation" factor, it is stated that the process of elaborating SUMP Nicosia should follow the guidelines provided by the EU for the development and implementation of such a plan. It is argued that many key stakeholders did not participate in the first consultation meeting, citizens (especially social groups currently using public transport) were completely absent and no specific plan, methodologies and tools were presented for the consultation process with citizens, nor for the contribution of local experts to the process. The only means of creating a vision together with citizens and stakeholders is, according to the 42, the transparent presentation of the process and the data used to develop solutions. This is an urgent need for transparency and alignment of SUMP Nicosia with the open science policies of the European Union.
The 42 consider that most citizens who are willing to use alternative and sustainable ways and means of transportation are discouraged by the lack of safety on the road network and the willingness / commitment of state services to resolve these issues.
