The S.M.ALL Ad-hoc series - Issue 2 - Pietro's way forward

Edited on 14/03/2025

The Ad-hoc series reckon with the future thanks to the two workshops held by Ad-hoc Expert Pietro L. Verga in Autumn 2024, shifting the focus to tackle mobility from different yet complementary angles.

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.

Submitted by on 14/03/2025
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Pietro Lupo Verga

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