Re-imagining Cities Beyond the Car
The Planning Car-Lite Strategies workshop invited the cities' representatives reunited in Larissa to confront the realities of car-dependancy, and solicit them to envision a more sustainable, multimodal future. The dark stories mapped local challenges - from traffic congestion to underutilized public transport -, on which collaborative strategies have been built to design a future filled with free urban space, improved transit and new behaviours. The result? A roadmap toward car-lite cities that balance accessibility, sustainability, livability.
Designing Cities with and for Children
Mobility is not just about efficiency; it’s about experience. The Planning WITH and FOR Kids workshop placed participants in children’s shoes by challenging them to evaluate roads from a child’s perspective. Safety, visibility, and playfulness emerged as critical factors in making streets truly inclusive. The session reinforced the need for child-friendly planning approaches that go beyond technical fixes, incorporating co-creation methods that allow young voices to shape their urban environments.
Looking ahead
Both workshops highlight a central theme: designing cities for people means designing cities with people. Whether tackling car dependency or making streets safer for children, sustainable mobility requires integrated solutions that reflect the needs of all urban users.
Read Pietro Verga's findings in the articles and stay tuned for the next S.M.ALL Ad-Hoc Series issue, where we continue our journey toward people-centered urban transformation.
