Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain)

Vitoria-Gasteiz, located in northern Spain, is the capital of both the autonomous community of the Basque Country and the province of Álava, with a population of approximately 260,000 inhabitants, covering an area of 276.81 km². Known for its extensive green space, largely thanks to the Green Belt that surrounds the city, it has built a strong reputation for sustainable urban planning, recognised by its titles as the European Green Capital title in 2012 and named Global Green City in 2019. 

Since the 1990s, Vitoria-Gasteiz has progressively developed a human-scale city model, prioritising proximity, quality public space and sustainable mobility over car-oriented planning. Key frameworks such as the Sustainable Mobility and Public Space Plan (SUMP) and the Urban Green Infrastructure Strategy (UGIS) aim to reduce car dependency, expand public space for people and bring nature closer to the city through green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.

Measures the expansion of the cycling network, pedestrianisation, traffic calming, superblocks, improvements to public transport such as the tramway and the BRT, and the promotion of shared mobility. However, car use remains significant, putting pressure on public spaces and the city’s human scale. To respond to these challenges, Vitoria-Gasteiz has strengthened policies on urban planning, public space and mobility.
 

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