Concern for the environment is high on the agenda and, as such, the need to be smart is increasingly urgent.
With an estimated 7.7 billion inhabitants in 2050, the world needs mobility solutions that are adapted to the new reality. Some of the most advanced smart cities are already preparing themselves for this major challenge. And Europe is in the front line.
LEADING SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES
London, Helsinki and Amsterdam are at the top of the smart city rankings in Europe, according to a study conducted by the Eden Strategy Institute, a multinational consultancy firm headquartered in Singapore.
In London, a focus on the promotion of the use of public transport has led to a 37% increase in the number of users, and the city is a pioneer in the modal integration of several different means of transport, facilitated by the Oyster Card, which enables holders to switch among the underground, train, bus, boat, bicycle and taxi. The use of bicycles is on the rise, as is the creation of car-sharing platforms, managed by mobile digital applications.
Helsinki is one of the most eco-friendly cities. According to a recent survey, walking, riding a bicycle and using public transport account for around 77% of total travel, and the use of automobiles is expected to cease by 2025. According to the newspaper The Guardian, this is due to an ambitious and revolutionary public on-demand mobility system, paid by means of a simple mobile phone application.
Amsterdam is another prime example in Europe: over half the city´s inhabitants use a bicycle to get around. Its entire mobility plan prioritizes cyclists and the government even rewards people who travel to work by bicycle. The Amsterdam Smart City public-private partnership has developed more than 40 projects in the area of sustainable mobility.
These major European capitals feature good sustainable mobility solutions, and are examples to be followed. Portuguese cities have also begun sowing seeds with a view to reaping rewards in the future. A number of clean mobility projects are underway across the country which everyone will soon be talking about.