The CIVITAS ELAN four-year project for high-quality mobility in cities has successfully come to an end.

In recent years, Ljubljana has undergone a major transformation that is improving the quality of life of its residents and visitors. Many of these changes would not have been possible without CIVITAS ELAN, a European project for quality mobility in cities, which, on 13 December 2012 – on the day that the European Commission project team gave its final report on activities and achievements –officially concluded after four good years.

As co-ordinator of the project, which also included Zagreb, Ghent, Brno and Porto, from September 2008 to October 2012 the City of Ljubljana strove to improve mobility in Ljubljana. Therefore, as part of the CIVITAS ELAN project we paid particular attention to the development of user-friendly, attractive and safe public transport, promoting and improving conditions for cycling and walking, studying alternative energy sources and enabling accessibility.

With the assistance of €5.5 million of European funding, at local level we successfully implemented all 17 planned measures, that are living, sustainable and ready for possible upgrade or expansion. We held more than 130 events, workshops, round tables and other meetings to promote and encourage less dependence on private vehicles at which we showcased the project, its measures and process-related topics. We focused particularly on public involvement in individual activities, opened numerous channels for contact with various stakeholders and strengthened dialogue with the general public.

“We have paved the way with CIVITAS Elan, which the City of Ljubljana is paving with new transport policies and other measures for better lives in the city and the region. We have managed to adapt the transport habits of many residents of and visitors to Ljubljana and reorientate attention in many cases from the flow of vehicles to the flow of people. We are pleased that the project has contributed to positive changes” said project co-ordinator Zdenka Šimonovič, Head of the City of Ljubljana’s Development Projects and Investments Office.

Efforts to improve the quality of life in the city do not draw to a close with the conclusion of this project. Through numerous projects, some of which have won international recognition, the City of Ljubljana is continually creating better conditions for life and caring for the progress and welfare of its residents and visitors. Thus it will continue to be in the future.

Further information about the projects achievements is available at the project website and in the concluding brochure.