EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Mobility for All National Cities Network

Mobility for All National Cities Network - Portugal -

Introduction

The “Rede Nacional das Cidades e Vilas com Mobilidade Para Todos” project is a great challenge for all municipal districts which, of their own initiative, wish to instigate a process aimed at constructing cities which are accessible to all. More than a commitment, it is a desire to see all, regardless of age, gender or physical capability, moving about their city autonomously.

Description

The REDE project includes a number of Cities and Towns which wish to eliminate the main architectural and urban barriers. In order to ensure sustainability it is not possible to instantly demand a complete transformation. But it is essential that work should begin in a programmed and planned way. Therefore REDE is proposing that the councils implement a small number of simple, evolutionary measures which will make the city or town visibly more friendly for all citizens without exception.

Participants

To date the municipal districts included in the National Cities Network are:

Águeda;
Albufeira;
Alcochete;
Alijó;
Alpiarça;
Arouca;
Arruda dos Vinhos;
Aveiro;
Barcelos;
Bombarral;
Caldas da Rainha;
Cascais;
Castelo de Paiva;
Castro Marim;
Castro Verde;
Celorico da Beira;
Chaves;
Coimbra;
Coruche;
Entroncamento;
Esposende;
Estarreja;
Estremoz;
Évora;
Fafe;
Faro;
Felgueiras;
Figueira da Foz;
Funchal;
Idanha-a-Nova;
Guarda;
Ílhavo;
Lagos;
Leiria;
Loulé;
Lourinhã;
Mafra;
Marco de Canaveses;
Manteigas;
Marinha Grande;
Matosinhos;
Mesão Frio;
Moura;
Odivelas;
Oeiras;
Oleiros;
Oliveira de Azeméis;
Oliveira do Bairro;
Palmela;
Paredes;
Penafiel;
Peniche;
Peso da Régua;
Pinhel;
Pombal;
Ponte da Barca;
Portalegre;
Portimão;
Porto;
Póvoa do Varzim;
Rio Maior;
S. João da Madeira;
S. João da Pesqueira;
Santa Comba Dão;
Santa Maria da Feira;
Santarém;
Setúbal;
Silves; Sintra;
Tabuaço;
Tavira;
Torres Vedras;
Valença;
Vila do Conde;
Vila Real;
Vila Real Stº António;
Vila Nova Gaia.

APPLA began the REDE project in partnership with:

Secretaria de Estado Adjunta e da Reabilitação;
Secretaria de Estado do Ordenamento do Território e das Cidades;
Secretariado Nacional de Reabilitação e Integração das Pessoas com Deficiência, Associação Nacional de Municípios Portugueses;
Universidade de Aveiro;
Sociedade Portuguesa de Medicina Física e de Reabilitação;
Associação Portuguesa de Lesionados Medulares;
Associação Portuguesa de Deficientes;
Associação de Deficientes da Região Autónoma da Madeira;
Núcleo Regional do Centro da Associaçõ Portuguesa de Paralisia Cerebral;
Design for All Foundation.

Network lead

There is a large number of people who, on a daily basis, are confronted with severe problems or are unable to frequent public places because of obstacles in the road and in public buildings. These people represent around 60% of the total population and, more often than not, they are unable to participate in working, social and cultural life on account of architectural barriers.

APPLA set up the REDE in answer to the widely confirmed need to adapt urban spaces and in keeping with the spirit of the European Year of Disabled People.

Objectives

REDE’s generic objectives are:

to make towns and cities suitable for all citizens according to the principles of Design for All;
to meet contemporary ethical and cultural requirements;
to define one-off or structural measures which clearly and decisively contribute to the construction of towns and cities for all.

REDE’s specific objectives are:

to adapt a town or city with mobility for all as an objective in geographic and temporal phases by means of a series of small, rapid and inexpensive measures;
to promote regulation and awareness in the public and private sectors in order that “mobility for all” measures are incorporated into new urban developments.

Products

The first phase of the REDE project extends over three years. During this period a central area will be tackled (a multi-functional area where housing, commerce, private and public sectors coexist). Defined by the local authority, a range of measures are established for the area with a view to eliminating urban barriers.

In the Accessibility Intervention Plan given to the council the area in question is analysed, all obstacles which impede mobility are identified and a series of corrective measures are proposed. Having received this plan the local authority is responsible for implementing circa 70% of the proposed measures over three years. So that the district may keep its Mobility Banner.

The measures proposed include:

Whenever possible, appropriately sized pavements in terms of width and height;
Regulatory lowering of pavements at pedestrian crossings with ridges to distinguish them from entrances to garages;
To promote more continuity and legibility of public spaces;
Revision of the location of urban furniture and vertical signage which are physical impediments to mobility;
Reservation of disabled parking places with the correct dimensions and signage in public car parks;
Incorporation of acoustic signals at traffic lights in towns;
Increased access to public buildings which fall under the responsibility of the local authority;
Meetings with public transport companies to promote the adaptation of the vehicles used;
Inclusion of regulatory measures in the Municipal Regulations for Buildings and Town Planning so that new urban developments are sensitive to this issue.

Currently the REDE includes around 75 Portuguese districts. Some have already begun the project of constructing a City for All on the ground.

Contact info

Portuguese City and Regional Planners Association
Ms. Ângela Fernandes, tel. +351 96 197 41 60

Links

Visit the Mobility for All National Cities Network website Visit the Portuguese City and Regional Planners Association website

Document type

network

Themes

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Urban renewal

Keywords

Urban restructuring