Figueres (Spain)
Figueres is a city of 40,000 inhabitants, located in the province of Girona, Catalonia, Spain. It is situated in the northeast of Catalonia, 40 km from Girona and 140 km from Barcelona. It is famous for being the birthplace of Salvador Dali. The city if proud of the high share of pedestrian transport, and further plans wait for being implemented...
The city of Figueres demonstrates a modal split of 48 percent private vehicles, 50 percent pedestrians, and 2 percent public transport.
The city has developed a sustainable transport strategy, which is due to be approved by the City Council in 2010. One of the most important goals of the strategy is to achieve a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.
The city also has a sustainable urban mobility plan, the main goals of which are to improve the accessibility of the city’s neighborhoods; to increase the proportion of urban collective and sustainable public transport; and to raise public awareness of sustainable urban mobility.
The adoption of sustainable transport measures has not always been straightforward and progress has been slow in this field. Innovative measures implemented include the establishment of urban transport lanes specifically for electric buses; new cycle lanes in the city; a Park&Ride scheme; and the promotion of bicycle and moped transportation among the staff of the local administration.
In order to promote cleaner urban transportation, the city is working on the expansion of the electric vehicle fleet, with emissions below 120 g of CO2/km.
Future plans include the reconstruction of Salvador Dalí Avenue; the introduction of limited traffic zones in the city; the provision of additional space for pedestrians; and the redesigning of the city’s bus routes.
The city works on the implementation of sustainable urban transport measures in cooperation with the Polytechnic University of Barcelona, the Provincial Council of Girona, the Environmental Network of the Urban Area of Figueres, Breda Menarinibus, the European Commission, and the Catalan Autonomous Government.
Summary finalized: April 2010