For the third time, Ljubljana is to showcase its projects at the MIPIM Fair in Cannes from 16-19 March.

Simultaneous with this event is the launch of its new sustainable mobility transport policy, which the Municipality of Ljubljana first set out in its long-term development document Vision of Ljubljana to 2025 and then in its recently adopted Basic Municipal Spatial Plan, concurrent with new measures and steps in traffic management.

The new spatial plan, in addition to basic guarantees that the State may at any time free up railway land and thus valuable urban areas, envisages a comprehensive traffic management system with the necessary roads, separate lanes and new public transport routes to access the city, new cycle lanes and pedestrian zonesthat will enliven the city and attract new investment.

 

For a change from the car-dependent lifestyle

"A new approach to solving the problems of traffic and revitalization of public spaces in cities from the following assumptions:

• that public life in the city is associated with spaces that are free from moving and static motor traffic
• that walking is the only natural way of movement around the city that stimulates an urban way of life in public spaces,
• that broadening the roads and road network of motor traffic increases and invites traffic into the city,
• that people cannot drive into a city where they cannot park,
• that the most effective and efficient public transport system will not be a complement, but a compensation for (not) driving a car
• that the only option for the reorganization and transfer of goods is to restrict the number and length of trips and delivery trucks around town,
• that the time has passed in which the traffic can be regulated in a way that gives priority to the car at the expense of pedestrians and cyclists,
• future planning policy for urban traffic should favour pedestrians and cyclists, particularly in relation to different types of public transport
• that access tolls for motor transport around the city are the best source of finance for public transport and improving conditions for walkers and cyclists as expressed in the introduction to the demonstration catalogue

 

Transport measures to reduce the traffic burden at the City of Ljubljana

At the Fair, Ljubljana is also going to communicate those measures and steps that it has undertaken for the improvement of critical traffic conditions. In the past three years several new public transport lines have already been introduced, but the most effective measures for public transport will be introduced by the separate lane Park and Ride transit (P + R) to the city from the city outskirts. The plan also incorporates 2-metre-wide cycle paths as access to the Park and Ride, improving cycle networks in the existing roads at the expense of motorized transport, especially in the city centre and residential areas. Cycle racks are provided at Park and Ride and Ljubljana Public Transport stops as well as at car parks. It is anticipated that at key intersections on the ring road parking spaces will be increased by 40,000. In the confines of the city centre it is anticipated that there will be a reduction of personal motor traffic by 70%, and in the broader city area by 40% and in the suburbs and outskirts by 10%. New parking in purpose-built garages in the city centre will be allocated primarily to occupants of the principle of substitution "of one parking space on the surface of one parking space in the garage."

 

Measures to improve the urban transport situation and the consequent environmental standard

A standard travel pass, the urban smart card, is being adopted throughout the city and is significantly cheaper in the short term for urban public transport. The biggest advantage of such a payment option is the counting of passengers and the close monitoring of passenger flows, thereby enabling the effective planning of schedules and line changes. High charges for visitors to the city centre, while keeping low P + R fares will continue to substantially reduce the number of private cars trips into the city; city planners are already considering introducing a congestion charge as in other European cities. Allowing access for motor vehicles to certain areas will continue to regulate the reduction policy in relation to harmful emissions.

In relation to traffic measures, it is important to promote a healthy lifestyle, which starts in kindergarten and primary school. People still make a connection between a better quality of life through greater mobility. Therefore it is necessary for them to be shown the difference between the actual time spent driving or in public transport, by bicycle or on foot, and convince them that walking and cycling are not just for recreation in their spare time, but a means of transport to work, to school or commerce as is highlighted in our presentation at MIPIM.

 

City centre newsroom

Above all, at the fair Ljubljana applied a total facelift to the city centre, which supplanted the old image with a new modernised communal infrastructure. Renovated avenues and a park management, newly upgraded squares and the old town beckon new visitors and new residents to the city centre, new bridges and embankments promote walking and cycling, renovation and new management of the waterline increase the quantity of public spaces and build a bridge to the water – at the fair it showcases itself to all of us in the public world as one of the most dynamic cities simultaneously with the refurbishment of its public spaces and by restricting motor traffic as becoming more attractive, comfortable, safer and healthy.

If to this is added the City of Ljubljana's active leadership of the Civitas Elan European project, in which alternative fuels for public transport have been tried and tested, a public transport and cycling coordinator introduced, as well as the successful long term obtaining of European funding for the inclusion of the Ljubljana Urban Region Development Agency in a whole-region sustainable mobility project, we can only look forward to Ljubljana exciting the interest of foreign investors at the global real estate exhibition.

Once again, the presentation at the MIPIM property fair in Cannes has been designed and edited by Deputy Mayor Prof. Janez Koželj, organized by the Department of International Relations and Protocol, the texts have been contributed by the Ljubljana Urban Region, the Elan Civitas Project and the Department of Land Use, graphics are created by Mojca Bizjak and Maja Licul, the video presentation was prepared by Jernej Vidmar, and the stand by KRES agency from Ljubljana.

The MIPIM 2010 property fair in Cannes in France is to be on Wednesday, 17 March 2010, attended by Mayor Zoran Janković with a delegation.