Thanks to all participants of the Forum 2012
The CIVITAS Forum conference 2012 marked the 10th anniversary of the CIVITAS Initiative, and it represented the final conference of the CIVITAS Plus phase. This provided an occasion to present the results achieved during CIVITAS Plus, reflect on the lessons learned over the past ten years and formulate recommendations for the future of the Initiative.
Vitoria-Gasteiz as European Green Capital 2012 was an ideal location for the conference. Especially, the city’s superblocks concept drew a lot of interest. This new structure of mobility and urban space, in which city blocks build a network for different mobility modes, aims to reclaim urban space for the citizen and avert the negative impacts that come with excessive car traffic. Looking back at the past ten years of the Initiative, it was recognised that the field of sustainable urban mobility has undergone major changes. For example, electric vehicles and bikes look viable now. The emerging long-term approach of sustainable urban mobility planning was particularly highlighted. Another factor that is still having a strong impact on urban mobility - with both good and bad consequences – is the economic crisis. Besides plenary and technical sessions, the CIVITAS Awards ceremony and site visits, there was a colourful mix of 25 pecha kucha presentations. All presentations abnd photos of the event are available at: www.civitas.eu/forum_conference_2012. As the conference closed, some interesting responses to the overarching question, “where do we go from here?” were collated. For example, one idea was to step up the dissemination of achievements and of bad experiences. Daniela Rosca, head of unit at the European Commission’s DG MOVE invited participants to input into the consultation on the future of European transport until 10 December 2012. Last but not least, CIVITAS Forum network city Brest (France) has been unveiled as next year’s Forum conference host! We would like to thank all speakers, participants and our wonderful host city for helping to make the CIVITAS Forum conference 2012 a memorable event. We hope you have taken home as much energy, enthusiasm and ideas as we have, and that you enjoyed meeting so many people from around Europe and beyond. See you next year in Brest!
Author: CIVITAS Secretariat
