KINDER CITIES
Let's protect all the Hugos of the future.
At what point do we prioritize private mobility over the right of children and adolescents to move freely and without fear – or concern from their families – of being run over? At what point will we realize how barbaric it is and change it?
We have examples of this principle of mentality change throughout Europe, portrayed in the documentary video KINDER CITY.
Also in Barcelona we found some, with the superilles and the let’s protect the schools movement.
The superilles are an urban project that began in 2015 in the Poblenou pilot test that spread throughout Barcelona, despite also having clear opponents among people who own and use private vehicles as the main means of transportation and large establishments. Currently, the Supermanzanas program takes a step forward and becomes the model for transforming streets in other areas of the city, with the aim of recovering for citizens a part of the space currently occupied by private vehicles. Its objective is to achieve a healthy, greener, fairer and safer public space, which promotes social relations and the local economy.
You can see here what the new green axes of the city will be like
The project “Let’s protect the schools” arises from the tragedy that resulted in the death of Hugo, 5 years old, when leaving his school, hit by a driver. Thanks to this initiative, more than 200 schools throughout Barcelona protect their students from accidents with special speed reduction zones and with changes in public spaces to prioritize the lives of children.
From P(A)T we applaud the documentary and how it conveys the idea that the safety of children is not a privilege, but a right. Mobility policies determine the relationship with the neighborhood and neighbors. They can unite and create community or separate and create danger. And it also gives a message of hope: despite the pain, fight so that a similar misfortune does not happen again. The association has been working to save lives for 54 years and we have witnessed the altruistic involvement of many committed parents who come together so that no one has to go through the same suffering. We know that changes are slow, but they exist, we have lived them. I wish no more people had to die along the way.
Let’s protect all the Hugos of the future.
