The new SUMP as a game changer for Sant Llorenç centre

Sant Llorenç, is a town on Mallorca with 8,400 inhabitants. The city has developed a new Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) which will be open to public consultation. The plan is based on different surveys which assessed the potential to push the use of active mobility modes such as walking and cycling. Results of the surveys showed that 50% of all car trips in the town take less than 5 minutes, and 80% take less than 10 minutes. This high share of short trips connects well with the fact that more than half of town residents would use bicycles or scooters given good conditions for these modes.

Consequently, the new SUMP introduces motorised vehicle access restrictions to the historic centre of Sant Llorenç to help promote more sustainable modal choices. Only commercial vehicles and residents will be allowed to enter the area in the new scheme as a “Restricted Circulation Area”. Additionally, the town removed four car parks and made further traffic flow changes.

Town Councillor Bauzà says that “With this plan the mobility of the Sant Llorenç nucleus will improve markedly and every resident will be able to enjoy the benefits.” The councillor stresses that “the objectives of achieving social cohesion and economic development are contemplated by focusing on placing people at the centre of planning, not vehicles.”

Article published first at Majorca Daily Bulletin on 03 June 2020.