“Espansione”, the monthly magazine of the newspaper “Il Giornale” dedicated to the economy, has always been focusing on the issues of energy, waste and eco-sustainability. The forthcoming event, organized in cooperation with other relevant partners, addresses the media, opinion leaders and citizens’ attention on such themes as well as to ease networking among stakeholders.

The event schedule includes a conference, welcoming all the stakeholders from public institutions, utilities, research, manufacturers etc. Moreover an exhibition will take place aimed at increasing the awareness of citizens for eco-sustainability, disclosing newer electric vehicles which will be launched on the market in the upcoming months.

The participation in the event is free of charge but seats are limited and registration is compulsory. To register, click here.

Join the event and move a step in the world of sustainable mobility!

Related link

• newspapermilano.it
• ilgiornale.it/espansione_pdf
• comune.milano.it

We have asked Mr. Claudio Ferrari, director of the Adamello Brenta Nature Park if it is also possible to to combine usability of natural environments and conservation of protected areas.

“The Park aims at being a model for sustainable development through measures that favour natural conservation and, at the same time, the increase of environmental resources associated with economic growth and social development. Problems arising from mobility in Natural Parks are strictly linked to tourism; vice versa, tourism in Parks often coincides with a problem of mobility.

Deciding to get on a shuttle bus provided by the Natural Park can also be considered a gesture of awareness towards the environment. People, in fact, who come back from “Park holidays”, eventually, might be persuaded in adopting a different attitude towards mobility, taking the ‘Park back in town’. It is, therefore, possible today to think of leaving behind us the old and prevailing mobility model starting from protected areas, as many initiatives, experimented successfully and with growing support by some Italian parks, among which there is Adamello Brenta, have positively shown.”

In fact, if on one hand traffic congestion increases air pollution, drivers mental stress and the duration of journeys, on the other hand it fosters for the same reasons the use of public transport on reserved lanes.

“ If we had a complete absence of congestion at all times it would surely be a sign of huge over-investment in the roading network (if it was even possible, remembering the effects of induced demand)… Slower traffic encourages alternatives means of transport that are often more sustainable, it encourages shorter trips and thereby encourages higher development densities and more mixed-use development. ….In the end, I think it’s stupid, and probably even counter-productive, to attempt to eliminate congestion. Instead, perhaps it’s more prudent to plan for an optimum level of congestion – keeping in mind other environmental, economic and social goals.”

This is surely an original point of view. However the question is still valid: is it useful to plan mobility in a certain area aiming at eradicating completely traffic congestions or do we need to plan instead also the optimal level of traffic congestion?