Highlights from the 2024 Walk21 Conference

Building on the momentum of both the European Week of Regions and Cities and the CIVITAS Forum, Walk21 Portugal, held from 14 - 18 October, provided valuable insights into creating more walkable, inclusive, and sustainable cities, with global case studies and a focus on unlocking the full potential of walkability. As the conference's motto said, "Somos todos peões, Everybody walks."

Hosted by the Institute of Mobility and Transport, in partnership with the City of Lisbon and the Portuguese Government, Walk21 explored themes such as inclusive mobility, safe infrastructure, and comprehensive pedestrian networks.

Day 1 - 2: Laying the Groundwork for Change

Workshops and training sessions covered topics such as integrating inclusivity into traffic rules, improving pedestrian networks, and developing national walking policies. A session on “Pedestrian safety: assessment, planning, and design,” featuring EU-funded projects PHOEBE and ELABORATOR.

This session introduced tools for enhancing pedestrian safety, focusing on infrastructure, reliable data, and policy coherence. Participants also reflected on their own challenges and exchanged insights.

On day two, the plenary session “Everybody Walks” featured Portugal’s Secretary of State for Mobility, Cristina Pinto Dias, and João Jesus Caetano, President of the Institute of Mobility and Transport, who stressed the importance of prioritising pedestrians in urban design.

Experts throughout the day discussed how global tools can improve walkability and reduce carbon footprints, sparking debate on the role of walking in shaping future urban landscapes and driving social and environmental change.

Day 3 - 4: Inclusivity at the Core

Day three focused on “The Essential Role of Inclusivity in Walkability,” with experts from Portugal, Brazil, and the UK exploring how to design streets that cater to all, regardless of age, gender, or ability. Clarisse Cunha Linke, from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, highlighted the need for intersectional approaches, addressing diverse urban mobility needs.

As part of the SMALL project, an interactive "Weeting" (Walking Meeting) was held to assess inclusive mobility around the venue. Participants, assigned personas representing users with reduced mobility, evaluated features such as ramps and wayfinding, revealing that much improvement is still required to make walking accessible for all.

Overall, the Walk 21 Conference provided a vital platform for exploring how to create more walkable, inclusive, and sustainable cities. The event celebrated the potential of walking as a means of urban mobility while also prompting reflection on the work still needed to ensure that it is accessible to all. 

Author: Dearbhla Mullin

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.