Shkodra,the cycling city of Albania and Southeast Europe

‘Great tradition - Bright future’

Picture: Lauren Bekteshi – Nektar Duma

Shkodra, Northern Albania (114.000 Inhabitants) has a remarkable modal split compared to other cities in Albania and Southeast Europe : 43% pedestrians and an extraordinary 29 % daily cyclists (source: Shkodra MOBALB household travel survey 2011; 500 households). Taking into consideration the fragility of shifts in transport modes in cities in transition economies, in particular in car mad southeast Europe, the compact and historic Shkodra deserves special attention. Once the transport modes of the poor, walking and cycling today is seen as a strategic asset in the urban development of Shkodra both for economic and environmental reasons. The revival of cycling in Europe, the CIVITAS references, and the MOBALB donor project (www.mobalb.al) all of these are convincing elements for Shkodra to continue its efforts in a tailor made SUMP process.

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Background and objectives

Due to historic and economic reasons, Shkodra citizens are walkers and cyclists by lifestyle.

Afore figure totals a 72% ‘active’ (walking + cycling) urban travel life style.

Another key factor is the fact that Shkodra has remained compact in urban form. Distances in Shkodra are short; its perimeter is 2 to 3 km. (see scheme below).

Inner perimeter is 1 km; outer circle is 3 km.

The MOBALB donor project on urban mobility 2009 -2012 (www.mobalb.al), a project in cooperation with the Municipality of Shkodra, the Institute of Transport in Tirana and the Flanders’ Government, has paved the way to a better understanding of the why’s and how’s of a sustainable urban mobility process. Some basic surveys have been conducted and included the household travel survey, a bicycle policy audit and some demo home to work and home to school surveys. From the home to work surveys, two striking figures came about: (51%) of the civil servants of the Municipality walk to work ,while 30% bike to work; 41% of the workers of the shoe factory Berttoni use the company bus , 38% bike and 18% walk to work.

http://www.mobalb.al/

The 29% cycling share ranks Shkodra the top cycling city in Southeast and Central Europe.

There’s full gender equity in urban cycling. Another peculiarity: Shkodra is a champion in privately owned on-street cycle racks per m² in Europe

Moreover, the streetscape of Shkodra is structured along boulevards where shared space is still the prevailing rule thanks to a dominant and proud cycling tradition.

Prevailing shared space culture in Shkodra

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Implementation and conclusions

The paradox is such that sustainable transport objectives are a reality in Shkodra and that the 72% active travel modes score is heavily challenged due to rising levels of car ownership. How then are citizens being engaged in preserving their urban travel life style?

An urban development plan, that affirmed Shkodra’s compact urban form and the diversity of functions in its 7 districts, was widely published and exposed in town.

Successful pedestrianisation: 400 m realized; 400 m under construction and 400 m planned;

Starting modernizing the cycling policy through promotion and policy review (BYPAD audit);

‘Shkodra, cycling’ event, fashion and arts show, quality photos and leaflets, facebook site (2011) and continued in 2012 as Shkodra, cycling: great tradition; bright future’ (exhibition, brochure and manifesto);

The revival of cycling in European cities, the ELTIS references, Shkodra’s prevailing walking and cycling culture, the city’s shared space’ travel habits and the MOBALB project, these are all convincing elements for Shkodra to continue its efforts in a tailor made SUMP process and to play a role model for medium seized towns in Southeast Europe.

Contact

Jos (Jozef) Zuallaert, MOBALB project leader : jzuallaert@yahoo.co.uk

Patrick Auwerx , Mobiel 21 vzw, ………….

mailto:jzuallaert@yahoo.co.uk

Website and downloads

www.mobalb.al - click on Shkodra Demo

Pictures

http://www.mobalb.al/

Street view on pedestrian area (‘piedonale’)

Gender equity in cycling: 50/50

Cycle day event ,October 2011

38 Albanian trainees – first EPOMM qualified training on sustainable urban mobility

Awarded on- street painting in Shkodra, October 2011