Budapest witnessed some truly great initiatives in the past years, such as the car-free embankment, which has been open to city-dwellers on weekends for the fourth season. Now, international recognition has arrived as Budapest snatched the crown at the European Mobility Week. This award recognises municipalities that have excelled in promoting sustainable urban mobility during the week of September 16th to 22nd, under the theme of 'Save Energy'. Surpassing the other two finalists, Amadora (Portugal) and Innsbruck (Austria), the Hungarian capital was honoured for its car-free weekend (September 16th-17th), which attracted 10,000 participants, and the Car-Free Day on September 22nd.
The Mayor of Budapest unveiled comprehensive plans on the latter for the construction of a new pedestrian area along the Danube embankment. In close cooperation with the City of Vienna, Budapest also hosted a public event to promote best practices in walking and cycling policies, as well as discussions with the BKK - Centre for Budapest Transport Balázs Mór Klub - on how to ‘Save Energy' in transport.
The European Commission organises Mobility Week and Mobility Action annually, with this year's ceremony taking place at La Bellone in Brussels. The event brings together urban mobility experts and enthusiasts from across Europe, providing the perfect platform for exchanging best practices, discussing challenges, and brainstorming innovative solutions to promote behavioural change in favour of walking, cycling and public transport.
Source: European Mobility Week and eurocities.eu
