Photo: Andrea Bianchini

Tuesday 13^th December 2011

Ministry for Infrastructures and Transport of Italy

The Scientific Workshop on Mountain Mobility and Transport

The seventh Scientific Workshop on Mountain Mobility and Transport (SWOMM) will take place on 13 December in Rome, at the Ministry for Infrastructures and Transport, EUR Headquarters (Viale dell’Arte N. 16). SWOMM 2011 is promoted by the Italian Ministries for the Environment and Transport and organized with the support of EURAC and the Mountain Partnership Secretariat.

The event is organized within the framework of Transalpine Transport Architects (TRANSITECTS), the project co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, through the “Alpine Space” Programme. With a partnership of sixteen public and private bodies from Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia, TRANSITECTS is aiming at favouring intermodal solutions for the passage of freight traffics from road to rail, by improving the accessibility, the logistics and the existing infrastructures within the alpine area.

Over the alpine arch, due to the presence of steep slopes and narrow road corridors, the polluting emissions produced by vehicles for passenger and freight traffics are considerable, particularly in the valleys, and they cause damages to the vulnerable alpine ecosystems and the local population. The issue of alpine traffic overcomes the national borders and the EU countries are oriented towards the transfer, where possible, of transports from road to rail.

Inspired by the themes of the TRANSITECTS project, the SWOMM 2011 is aiming at examining the topic of rail transport in mountain areas and in particular in the Alps, by making reference not only to the freight but also to the passenger movements. The speakers, including managing directors of railway companies and experts coming from research centers as well as from administrations involved in the management of traffic flows and railways infrastructures in mountain regions, will meet to discuss and share their knowledge and experiences on the theme.

The SWOMM represents since 2005 an international occasion of exchange on themes related to transport in mountain areas. As every year, the event is organized in December to mark the celebration of the International Mountain Day (11 December) designated by the United Nations General Assembly.

The registration is compulsory for all attending participants.

Please fill in this registration form by 12 December at 12 a.m..

Furthermore, we kindly ask you to bring a valid identity document.

The MIT headquarters are close to the Metro Station EUR-Fermi (map). To get there by metro from Termini Station please take the B line towards the direction Laurentina.

Contacts:

SWOMM SCIENTIFIC SECRETARIAT

info@swomm.info

Agenda_SWOMM 2011_EN – (Final)

Programma_SWOMM 2011_IT – (Final)

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After having substantially neglected urban mobility issues for a long time when urban sprawl extended, a massive construction of new light railway and underground systems happened in more than 30 Chinese cities, with a growth of 50 percent in the number of subway carriages in China in the last year. In almost all the cases, the works are financed by government subsidies. Fares are generally cheap (starting from 2 yuan, corresponding to 0,31 dollars) and the services are clean and efficient. Nevertheless, from the economic point of view, none of the Chinese metro networks is profitable, highlighting losses of several millions of yuan.

Shezhen is experimenting a new way: the new Metro line 4 (costed some 6 billion yuan) is the first Chinese rail route fully funded by a private company, Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation, under the build-operate-transfer model. MTR tries to reply what it did in 1975 in Hong Kong, by proposing a financial model that blends railway operation with property development.

The rail operator is understood to be in talks with the authorities for the right to develop its 30-hectare depot at the Longhua station. According to MTR documents, 8 ha of the depot are reserved for property development: property prices in Longhua would have the potential to rise 60-70 percent in the next 5 years, to 40 thousands yuan per sqm, owing to the area’s improved accessibility. Moreover, the MTR will collect lease and advertising income from the 100 shops and 900 advertising boxes at the 15 stations on the route.

MTR has been granted a 30-year franchise for Line 4. This line, occupies the network’s most central location and provides interchanges for all lines and it will also link up with the future high-speed railway to Guangzhou and Hong Kong’s East Rail at Futian.

In any case, “government subsidies are expected to remain a major mode of financing public transport services on the mainland, but if the rail-plus-property model proves to be sustainable, the government will consider adopting it for other rail projects,” said one rail expert.

Next years to come will show whether this model may offer a more market-oriented alternative to general government subsidies and public investments in the building of new urban metro lines, creating opportunities for private investors to join this business and a more profitable future for the community.

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The two publications focus on urban mobility in sensitive natural areas, providing suggestions on innovative means and policies to lower the environmental impact of road traffic. Having ambitious and effective transport projects is one of the key factors which define the urban liveability, says a survey carried out by the Economist Intelligence Unit in 2010 for the preparation of Report on urban liveability commissioned by Philips. When asked to nominate the first thing they would address if they were in charge of their city, most of the respondents (61%) picked transport and roads – above healthcare, the environment or any other issue.

The SWOMM 2009 and  the Urban Mobility Report intends to contribute to the debate by investigating the theme of mountain mobility and transport, in particular with reference to alpine cities. The SWOMM 2009 publication is intended to present the main findings of the 2009 session of the Scientific Workshop on Mountain Mobility and Transport (SWOMM), where major experts from private and public sectors addressed in particular the theme of sustainable mobility in mountain towns. The event was organized by the Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea in agreement with the Liguria Region, UNCEM Piemonte, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat and the Alpine Convention on 11 December 2009 in Genoa (Italy). The volume also includes a final section dedicated to the SWOMM Side Event organized by the Italian Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea and the Mountain Partnership Secretariat (FAO) on 12 May 2010 at the 18^th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD).

The Report Alpine Urban Mobility has been prepared by the Sub Group “Alpine Urban Mobility”, that was constituted within the Working Group “Transport” (WTG) of the Alpine Convention. The Report deals with the urban mobility system in alpine towns, and it delves into policies and solutions adopted for the mobility management, such as ITS in public transport . On the basis of the works conducted, the Sub Group “Alpine Urban Mobility” finally suggests a set of recommendations on how to improve the urban mobility in the Alpine towns.

The two publications will be soon available on line and printed copy may be required. In the meantime, in order to approach the issue of Urban liveability and economic growth, we invite you to have a look to the because.philips.com/”>above mentioned Report prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit. The Report was set up to discover the most important elements in urban liveability, and to provide the policymakers  with suggestions on long-term visions and resources for making cities better places to live and work.

• SWOMM 2010 – Transport and Environment in Mountain Areas (swomm.info)
• A. LEUXE – The real costs of transports in Alpine corridors (swomm.info)
• The World’s Least Liveable Cities (huffingtonpost.com)
• World’s Most Liveable Cities: 2011 Economist Intelligence Unit Report (PHOTOS) (huffingtonpost.com)

The “Klimamobility” eco-vehicles showroom will be organized at the Bolzano Fair – which is strongly involved since 2005 in building a carbon-alternative energetic culture – with the support of several partners including the Bolzano Province and some local institutes devoted to technological innovation and environmental research.  It will be held in parallel to “Klimaenergy”, the event dedicated to renewable energies for commercial and public use that is taking place for the third year.

“Klimamobility” will host the exposition of two, three and four-wheeled EVs, tools and machineries for charging means, accessories and components for EVs as well as drive systems and everything revolves around the future of sustainable mobility. Furthermore, the event aims at embracing the largest possible number of existing contacts in the sector by providing information to the public on service and repair of eco-vehicles and foresees the presence of universities, consulting firms, research institutes and travel operators by sustainable vehicles.

In that occasion, current issues related to sustainable and electric mobility will be discussed in an international meeting, especially focusing on infrastructures for recharging vehicles. In this context, the Bolzano Fair  - the director Mr. Reinhold Marsoner explains –  “ by combining Klimamobility and Klimaenergy  aims at becoming a 360° platform for renewable energies in integrated systems and for sustainable mobility, where entrepreneurs, public officials and managers, specialized dealers, car rentals but also banks, financial services and R&D institutes shall meet for a prominent update in this field”.        

Related articles:

• http://www.repubblica.it/motori/ecoauto/2010/12/16/news/motori_klimamobility-10232760/
• http://www.ecocaronline.it/20101228/alla-fiera-di-bolzano-klimamobility-il-nuovo-salone-sulla-mobilita-sostenibile/
• http://www.aefi.it/Aefi/site/it/news/dettaglio-news?id=1873

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Traffic Patterns, Ecosystems Services, Policies for Sustainable Development

The SWOMM 2010 workshop was held on 14 December at FAO in Rome.

The Scientific Workshop on Mountain Mobility and Transport (SWOMM) is an initiative promoted by the Italian Ministry for the Environment since 2005. This year the Mountain Partnership Secretariat worked in cooperation with the SWOMM Scientific Secretariat for the organization of the day, within the framework of the AlpCheck 2 Project of the Alpine Space ETC Programme.

As from the title, SWOMM 2010 aimed at striking the balance between two crucial needs for the development of mountain areas: transportation development on one hand, environment preservation on the other. The panel of discussants, who represented several organizations, ranging from Ministries to relevant research centers and international organizations and NGOs, proved to be a diverse and qualified assembly which broached a fair discussion on the issue, delving into the matter considering several points of view and taking care of differing interests.

Experts from Ministries and administrations and research institutions of Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria and partners in European Projects on transportation, explained from different perspectives and through their concrete experiences how cutting-edge technologies and well-planned solutions for transportation could enable and foster the socio-economical development of the alpine area, but also of other mountain areas often isolated and deprived of basic infrastructure.

On the other hand, several presentations were expressly dedicated to mountain environments specificities and their richness in biodiversity, with a focus on how to assess the services offered by such ecosystems to mountain inhabitants and also to lowlands population. In this context, the current experiences of Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) to reward poor highlands areas and measures conducted in the Carpathians were also presented to the public.

The Conference mainly stressed few points. That transportation is responsible for a remarkable share of emissions in the mountains, having an important impact on the regional economy and quality of life, but also on the environment and the functionality of regional ecosystems. That mountain ecosystems are extremely fragile and provide important services to both people living inside and outside the mountains. That the combination of lower emissions and appropriate incentives for valuable services’ provision from the mountains can start an important path to sustainable development of mountain areas worldwide. Some policies already exist on both sides, including more efficient transport systems, PES (Payments for ecosystems services). At the same time a few good experiences have been presented where effective transport services seem to go hand in hand with a high environmental quality of the mountain environment, e.g. in Austria and Switzerland.

More, European projects of regional cooperation presented during the day are supposed to lead to shared data and solutions in the field of transportation, while promoting exchange of know how, harmonization of methods and awareness raising throughout the European countries. The Alps and Carpathians but also other mountain ranges of the world could take benefits from such transborder works. SWOMM will continue in its effort to promote reasoning and information on this topic.

Presentations of the Speakers

A workshop on safe and healthy walking and cycling in urban areas will be held on 30 September – 1 October 2010 in Batumi, Georgia, organized under the Transport, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme (THE PEP) Staffete in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia and the city of Batumi.

The event will include roundtable discussions aiming at identifying challenges and needs, in order to promote innovative policies for planning, financing, infrastructure development and regulations to support walking and cycling as increasingly viable and attractive modes of urban mobility.

It will be also possible to join a cycling and walking rally together with other governmental officials, sportsmen and activists as well as the launch of the first Walking school Bus in the ciry, which is running thanks to a very sustainable fuel…The Workshop will be conducted in English and Russian with simultaneous translation. More information is available in the website.

THE PEP, established in 2002, and serviced by the joint secretariat of the UNECE and WHO/Europe, offers a platform for countries to share information and know-how and benefit from each other’s experience with regard to transport, health and environment policies. THE PEP contributes to a greener economy, by addressing the following goals: contributing to sustainable economic development and stimulating job creation through investment in environment and health-friendly transport, managing sustainable mobility and promoting a more efficient transport system, reducing emissions of transport-related greenhouse gases, air pollutants and noise, promoting policies and actions conducive to healthy and safe modes of transport.

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The Permanent Secratariat to the Alpine Convention organized for the 4th year a trip through five states (from Monaco, passing through France, Italy, Germany, Austria and Slovenia) of the Alpine Arc for a group of international journalists who is trying the amazing experience of discovering this territor utilising alternative means of transports like bike, train, bus and going on foot in alternative to cars.

In this edition the participants of the spedition will discover the different cultures of the Alpine Arc through the gastronomy and the history of every city.

SuperAlp is a tool of the Permanent Secratariat to promote the sustainable development of the Alpine region.

To learn the complete program of this edition, click here

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Urban transport planning in developing cities is nowadays a key political and technical issue, requiring alternative approaches and solutions aimed to effectively face the phenomena of rapid and often unplanned growth of urban areas with high concentration of motor vehicles. Congestion, energy consumption, air pollution, and traffic crashes strongly affect society and environment in such settings, thus lowering quality of life and urban productivity.

The course addresses in particular urban and transportation planners, decision-makers from local governments as well as representatives of service providers (national governments, private sector, NGOs) and international organizations involved in the transport sector worldwide.

It aims to enhance the capacity to formulate and implement appropriate policies that contribute to sustainability in urban transport in developing countries, dealing with issues such as transport demand management, improved public and non-motorized transport, environmental protection, road safety, and gender in transport. It also provides information on economic and financial instruments, institutional improvements, capacity building, regulation of markets and environmental standards.

The course is web-based and it consists of 6 modules. Learning materials will be distributed and all learning activities will be moderated by a high level transportation expert. Participation in collaborative activities for about 2 hours/week as well as a study time of about 3 hours/week are required. A certificate of successful completion will be issued to participants to the course that will achieve a minimum total score of 70% in the assessment activities. The others will receive a certificate of participation.

UNITAR offers reduced fees (US$ 400) for participants from least developed countries/low income economies, lower-middle-income economies, and upper-middle income economies. Full fees (US$ 800) apply to participants from high-income countries.

Further information is available in the web site.

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With this regard, we thereby signal the 5th edition of East Forum 2010, which will specifically focus on sustainability, being entitled “Re-thinking the present in order to design the future: choosing sustainability”. Co-organized by UniCredit Group, the forum will be held on 8 July 2010 at Luiss, in Rome.

The panelist includes several eminent speakers from relevant companies, national and European institutions as well as prestigious international organizations which are involved in environmental, economic and political issues.

The speakers’ investigations aim to analyse the international scenario on sustainability, to conceive innovative proposals for the future, which may result important also for the SWOMM goals, in particular improving sustainable transport in mountain areas. They will define a new model of sustainable development, to face current challenges and exploit present opportunities such as the green economy. The distinct roles and tasks held by institutions, governments, companies and civil society in shaping this model will also be investigated, as well as the possible policies to be implemented to make good progress towards qualitative and human development. In the website you can find the electronic edition of many relevant international papers concerning sustainable development guidelines, as well as links with related initiatives, including SWOMM.

A further tidbit on the Conference: the organizing team (together with the group of students LUISS Sostenibile) seems to be really devoted to green economy and sustainability. Indeed, all the printed matters are made of recycled paper, speakers will travel by electric cars, the event will be powered as much as possible by means of renewable energy and the buffet is at zero kilometers. Furthermore, emissions credits are being purchased from a carbon reduction project in Chicago.

Enjoy the East Forum 2010 and – above all – the cause of sustainable development!

Sandei, from UNEP, provided a general outlook on the main features of the transport system within the Carpathians, during its presentation at the SWOMM Side Event at CSD18.

Representing one of the Europe’s largest mountain ranges, the Carpathians are an area of outstanding ecological value, inhabited by 20 millions of people sharing a peculiar economic and cultural environment.

The Carpathian Convention, signed in 2003 and entered into force in 2006, has been ratified by Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine. Receiving also the support of European funds (EU INTERREG IIIB CADSES – Carpathian Project), it aims at the creation of integrated policies, strategies and instruments for enhancing the sustainable development of the region. Activities should be promoted for fostering the territory development with regards to landscape and water management, transport and infrastructure, tourism, industry and energy, while preserving biodiversity and endangered species. Cultural heritage and traditional knowledge are also assets to be respected.

For issues related to transports, the Convention states that an adequate system has to be developed to guarantee accessibility and thus economic and social development, without endangering the mountain environment specificities (Article 8). Therefore, transport policies should focus on how to minimize the harmful effects of traffic, especially in sensitive areas, needing to be preserved for present as well as for future generations. International cooperation among the involved Parties is required for developing environmentally friendly transport systems.

The Working Group on Sustainable Industry, Energy, Transport and Infrastructure of the Carpathian Convention developed detailed analysis and assessments on the Carpathians’ transport system. During his presentation, Mr Sandei spoke on the Carpathian transport system and showed graphs and maps concerning the Carpathian Network of Protected areas (CNPA), the Pan-European Roads Corridors, different typology of Transport Network (if highway, primary or secondary roads) and the linkages between the Alpine and Carpathian Corridor.

According to these analyses, transport systems within Carpathian region have an almost homogeneous aspect, though they have been developed at a different stage in the Carpathian countries. Unfortunately, they generally reveal to be quite inadequate for managing the demand. The new political order within Carpathians with its opening to the market are increasing freight and passenger traffic and, as a consequence, the role played by road systems.

Roads are not enough to face the different types of displacements (residential, working, commercial, tourist, long-and-short route). Moreover, the existing ones are not endowed with proper infrastructural capacity. As an example, tourist and natural areas are generally not easy to reach and prone to bottlenecks. Due to these reasons, road safety is still not complying with EU-15 standards.

Other weak points of the actual system are the lack of transport services’ coordination. There are newer shuttle-bus services, but local public transport are still not enough and the modal integration is being improved (road – rail and rail – inland navigation).

Supported by the European Union in the framework of TEN Corridors policy, the construction of highways resulted to be very useful for developing transnational communications (with some positive economic and social effects). However, these actions had a high environmental impact, resulting in spoiling the natural scenery, particularly in some areas near to natural parks.

By using the Carpathian Convention, countries should go on in their integrated activities, always assuring that the new infrastructure development is in line with the highest standards on sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation.

Piercarlo Sandei
Is an Associate Professional Officer of the Environmental Reference Centre (ERC) of the Mountain Partnership Secretariat at UNEP. He is also part of the Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention, audited by UNEP in Vienna. The Carpathian Convention is a Regional MEA (Multilateral Environmental Agreement) aimed at the protection and sustainable development of the Carpathian Mountains, signed by seven countries in 2003 and effective since 2005.

http://www.swomm.info/Docs/sandei.pdf