Car-free zone, strolling zone and bicycle path network

Summary

The aim was to protect the World Heritage sites in the centre of Pecs by creating a limited access zone and encouraging more sustainable modes of urban transport.

Implementing sustainable mobility

As a result of the rapidly growing number of cars in the city centre since the 1990s, congestion had become a daily phenomenon in Pecs, resulting in air and noise pollution and a significant deterioration in living conditions. In 2002, the Early Christian burial chambers in the centre of Pecs were made a UNESCO World Heritage site, prompting efforts to ensure the long-term protection of the city’s cultural monuments.

The objective of this measure was therefore to decrease the volume of traffic and the number of private cars visiting the UNESCO World Heritage sites and the city centre by:

• establishing a car-free zone in the World Heritage area;
• creating a limited access zone inside the medieval city walls;
• establishing a zone-model parking system outside the city walls;
• creating a bicycle route in the city centre;
• reducing air and noise pollution; and
• providing new infrastructure and motivation for cyclists and pedestrians.

Progress

All stakeholders and affected citizens were invited to participate in the planning stages and the measures had full political support from all parties. The new World Heritage Zone is completely closed to private cars. Only local residents are permitted to access the area, and relatives of physically handicapped people may apply for permission from the municipality. Car users must prove that they use the car for the benefit of the disabled relative on each occasion to the municipal police controlling the area. The speed limit in the zone is 30 km/h and there is an access restriction on heavy vehicles over 6 tonnes.

Supplementary measures included the creation of extra parking spaces outside the city centre and increasing green areas within the city and a media campaign took place to promote the positive effects of the system among the public.

Outcomes

The measure fulfilled its objectives: the targeted reductions in traffic and air/noise pollution were achieved. There was 80 percent less traffic in certain parts of the city centre; 95 percent fewer heavy goods vehicles in the city centre; around 3 percent reduction in noise pollution; and 100 percent less traffic in the focal point of the city centre. Although the extension of the bicycle roads was postponed, living conditions significantly improved in the central areas of Pecs.

This fact sheet has been updated by a third party on the basis of available information (not by the city itself), therefore we do not guarantee any data with respect to their content, completeness or up-to-dateness.