Interview with the the City of Igoumenitsa (Greece), winner of the inaugural EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award 2017 for smaller municipalities.

Q. What activities did your city undertake to help it win the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award? Were there any activities that you are particularly proud of?

Our activities were designed to include all social groups, particularly young people willing to change their modes of movement. Information kiosks, school seminars and various competitions were organised on the topic of "Cycling and walking in the city: benefits for me and for us all!" Walking and cycling were promoted as a form of a cooperative mobility within the wider urban system.

In collaboration with the city's stakeholders, several events took place in public spaces to show how the city centre could be without cars. Citizens were invited to try out alternative modes of urban transport, free of charge. We are proud to have held activities for all social groups, particularly the elderly and disabled people.

Q. What has the reaction been among citizens and stakeholders to the city winning the award? What does winning the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award mean to the city?

The response of both citizens and stakeholders was very positive - in some cases extremely enthusiastic! Smaller municipalities, like Igoumenitsa, have acquired all the problems and habits of big cities. The award will give them the opportunity to realise the issues and start working towards sustainable mobility, helping to define and organise efficient and less polluting mobility system for both goods and passengers.

Q. What are the benefits of taking part in EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK for your city?

In the context of EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK, information was collected about residents' needs and wishes in terms of improving their modes of mobility. In collaboration with other cities and stakeholders, we promoted actions that helped us to create a vision in terms of development and sustainability that would improve the city's infrastructure, the existing urban and peri-urban green areas, and protect the environment in general. 

Q. What advice would you give to cities that are looking to take home the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award?

The key steps are to ensure the participation of diverse target groups, gain the participation of local stakeholders, take advice from other cities who have many years of experience (in our case Trikala and Xanthi), promote events through social media, and hold special events for elderly and disabled people. Practically, it is also necessary to record and submit details of all of the activities that took place during the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK.