| Description | The Municipality of Ljubljana has carried out a transformative urban mobility and public space initiative since 2007, when it began closing parts of the city centre to motorized traffic and gradually expanding pedestrian zones. Today, more than 10 hectares of the city centre are car-free, supported by measures such as free electric vans for short rides across the centre and restricted delivery times (6–10 am). These changes aimed to increase walking, cycling, and public transport use, while reducing dependence on personal vehicles, traffic accidents, air pollution, and noise.
A major milestone came in 2017 with the renovation of Slovenska Street, one of the city’s main traffic routes, into a shared space designed for pedestrians, cyclists, and bus users. This redesign included tree-lined avenues and new street furniture, creating a friendlier urban environment. The results were striking: black carbon concentrations dropped by 70% on Slovenska Street without increasing pollution on surrounding streets, and traffic noise decreased by about 6 dB.
The project was co-financed through the ITI mechanism, with funding support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Republic of Slovenia, and the City of Ljubljana (which covered 20% of eligible investment costs for cycling and pedestrian infrastructure). Additional resources came from European programmes such as CIVITAS and Interreg.
Ljubljana’s success shows that with ambitious political leadership and participatory approaches, even bold changes in traffic regimes are achievable despite initial resistance. The city has reaped long-term benefits: a substantial rise in tourism, more vibrant public spaces for events, and numerous international recognitions, including the European Green Capital Award (2016), the EU Mission Label for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030 (2024), and a nomination for the 2021 Eurocities Awards in the “Planning Public Spaces” category.
Applicability in the wider Danube region is high. Cities can replicate this model if they combine strong leadership with citizen engagement, highlighting visible benefits such as better accessibility, improved air quality, and enhanced quality of urban life. |
|---|
0 Comments