20 June 2011
WHO and UNECE Hold Workshop on Sustainable and Healthy Urban Transport
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The workshop, titled "Working Together for Sustainable and Healthy Urban Transport," was the latest in a series of capacity-building events held under the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP).

Participants focused on cooperation between national and local authorities, industry and civil society in design, planning, financing and legislation to support walking and cycling.

Kiev City Hall17 June 2011: The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Europe have co-organized a workshop, titled “Working Together for Sustainable and Healthy Urban Transport,” which discussed strategies, policies and measures to promote innovative policies to support walking and cycling as increasingly viable and attractive modes of urban mobility.

The workshop was the latest in a series of capacity-building events held under the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP), and took place from 8-9 June 2011, in Kiev, Ukraine. Workshop participants discussed sustainable and healthy ways to move about in urban areas, such as linking attractive public transport services with cycling and walking zones, with a view to addressing growing congestion, time loss, pollution, lack of parking space, as well as physical inactivity as one of the leading health risk factors in the European Region. The workshop focused on cooperation between national and local authorities, industry and civil society in design, planning, financing and legislation to support walking and cycling.

Workshop participants identified the following concrete action points for policymakers, industry and civil society: accepting walking and cycling in urban areas as an integral part of transport and urban development planning and policy, on par with public transport and car traffic; establishing a national policy and legal framework for sustainable and healthy urban transport that supports regional and municipal goals for land-use planning, transport, health and the environment; improving institutional coordination and cooperation among public authorities towards transport, health and the environment policy integration; and encouraging effective public participation, partnership and communication, including regular user surveys on urban, particular public transport systems to identify critical issues and corrective measures. [UNECE Press Release] [Workshop Website]

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