CLAIMS

The municipal elections are approaching and that is why we want to make a brief analysis of the main challenges that Spanish cities are experiencing.

As we know, in our daily lives, we are exposed to a series of factors that can affect our health and unfortunately, in many Spanish cities, traffic accidents, air pollution and noise pollution represent a serious public health problem that threatens our health. These public health challenges are particularly dangerous in more densely populated urban areas, where their effects are profound and long-lasting.

This has a significant impact on the health of citizens, since exposure to air pollutants can increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Noise pollution is also a major problem as it can cause health problems such as stress, anxiety and sleep disorders. And of course we must not forget the injuries and deaths related to traffic accidents.

In the midst of a climate emergency, we believe that City Councils should opt for healthy cities, in which the well-being and health of their inhabitants is promoted, through the development of infrastructure and services that allow access to a healthy 0 km diet, physical activities, clean air, safe environments and green spaces.

A recent study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020, titled “Healthy Cities: An Overview,” examined the main factors that contribute to the health of cities, including air quality, transportation, food, security, urban design, access to resources and community participation. The study concluded that healthy urban planning is a key tool to improve the health and well-being of the population.

Therefore, urban planning aimed at promoting efficient, safe and sustainable mobility, with a clear objective of reducing accidents and pollution, is key to improving our cities and with it the quality of life of their inhabitants.

We know that half of the accidents with victims take place in the municipalities, on the streets of our towns and cities, and we miss more public talk about road safety and the actions that we want to take to protect life and safety. health of citizens and achieve a clear improvement in road safety and sustainable, healthy, friendly and safe mobility.

Decalogue of generic proposals:

• Include the improvement of road safety as a priority in the municipal action program, with the commitment to set quantifiable objectives.

• Adopt the “zero victims vision in urban mobility” with the commitment to work to achieve victim-free streets.

• Have a Local Road Safety Plan and a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan in the municipality, with monitoring and control of compliance, applying measures to calm traffic and reduce accidents, and establishing speed moderation zones.

• Adopt road safety criteria in urban design and urban development, making streets safe, accessible and humane and carry out road safety audits in all road projects.

• Apply measures to improve air quality and noise pollution and establish Low Emission Zones, in those cases where it is convenient to contribute to this.

• Apply the gender perspective in programs and actions on road safety and mobility.

• Encourage public transport and intermodality, with a quality offer that responds to the demand and needs of citizens (connectivity, schedules, parking,…) and that is accessible and reliable.

• Promote the use of active means of transportation, establishing pleasant and accessible routes for pedestrians, cyclists and VMP, prioritizing the safety and health protection of users.

• Recognize the consequences of traffic accidents and pay attention to the victims, improving their conditions and the response they receive after the accident.

• Carry out awareness-raising actions among the population and education for sustainable, healthy, friendly and safe mobility, especially for minors.