The City of Ivanić-Grad
(Croatia), Member of Energy Cities, was one of the finalists of the EMW Award 2009. The city has less than 50,000 inhabitants, but despite its small size, the citizens, local authorities, NGOs and local businesses all collaborated to successfully organise and implement programmes under the 2009 theme of Improving City Climates.
An Environmental Day during the beginning of the EMW presented the ‘Waste No Waste’ project and included an exhibition of old bicycles to promote alternative means of transportation. To improve the health of its citizens, outdoor aerobics classes for elderly citizens and free blood pressure and glucose testing were provided during the Energy Efficiency and Mobility and Health Days.
A new Noise Mapping Programme and Environmental Protection Plan were developed in accordance with the Sustainable Energy Action Plan from the Covenant of Mayors. These programmes locate the sources of noise, water and air pollution and define the city’s obligations for long-term environmental protection. The ultimate goal is to protect and preserve the environment and ensure sustainable development.
Alternative forms of transportation were promoted through increased infrastructure. A new two-kilometre bicycle lane, pedestrian pathways, street crossings and wheelchair ramps have been installed throughout the city. In an effort to encourage car pooling, a new car sharing programme for citizens who commute to Zagreb each day for
work was developed. Commuters can leave their personal vehicles in a large parking lot near the highway and travel to work together.
These short and long-term commitments to improve the city’s transportation and sustainability made Ivanić-Grad’s EMW a real success. Congratulations!
Ivanić-Grad, Member of Energy Cities since 2007, has also won the Display Campaign Award in 2010, is involved in the ENGAGE Project and participate in the Covenant of Mayors initiative, gathering at this time, more than 1,900 cities in Europe.
For further information, please contact Ms. Vlatka Berlan Vlahek at vlatka.berlan@ivanic-grad.hr.
Ivanić-Grad Website: www.ivanic-grad.hr
Source: 2010 Best Practice Guide of the European Mobility Week
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