Winner mobility 2020

3 December 2020
Mobility
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Projects

Civitas Destination project

Winner GTI Awards 2020 – Sustainable mobility

General information:

Island (Region, Province, Country):
Six european islands – MADEIRA – GRAN CANARIA – MALTA – ELBA – CRETE – CYPRUS

Population:
1.000.000

Budget / cost of the project:
20.000.000

Project objectives:

The DESTINATIONS project objectives are:

reduce energy consumption; reduce emissions / increase air quality;
improve overall urban accessibility;
enhance social cohesion;
improve cost effectiveness and integration of transport and mobility services for residents and tourists alike

Project description of activities and specific interventions:

CIVITAS DESTINATIONS is a four-year Innovative Actions project co-funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020

Programme under contract no. 689031. Its main aim is the integration of sustainable tourism and mobility strategies through the development of a series of innovative solutions in six European islands

Funchal in Madeira, Limassol in Cyprus, Rethymno in Crete, the Municipalities of Portoferraio and Rio in Elba, the Region of Valletta in Malta and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria are 6 European islands that experience significant seasonal flow of tourists each year, which puts great pressure in the transport systems of the islands. This calls for innovative solutions in order to improve mobility patterns and the quality of life for citizens and tourists alike.

Twenty eight partners from 9 EU member states, with the strong support of by their local politicians, have worked together for more than 4 years designing, developing, implementing and operating more than 75 measures and actions aiming at reducing the pressures on the transport systems of the 6 islands due to tourism. These actions and measures have helped develop Sustainable Urban Mobility and Logistics Plans, create attractive and accessible public spaces, promote behavioural change towards shared mobility and electromobility, manage mobility demand and awareness campaigns and promote attractive, efficient and accessible public transport.

For a complete list and description of the DESTINATIONS measures please visit https://civitas.eu/mobility-solutions/project/DESTINATIONS and https://destinationsplatform.eu

Public outreach, education and awareness efforts and results:

Overarching approach to urban and regional problems;
Development of mobility solutions serving both residents and tourists needs;
Economy-sharing driven;
Business models to guarantee lasting impacts of the measures;
Working group representing over 40 EU regions following the project as observers;
Links to China, the most promising touristic market of the future, to strengthen international cooperation;
New formats for assembling and engaging stakeholders;
Support to island cities to cope with new touristic trends and adapt their mobility systems accordingly;
Information and technologies upscaling.

The project has a very strong dissemination and replication mandate: It has financed the replication of a number of its measures by other cities and island communities in Europe. Replication actions of DESTINATIONS measures have been successfully completed in Sardinia, in Tenerife, in Cyprus (Ipsonas community), in Crete (Platanias community), in the islands of Korčula in Croatia, in Cape Clear in Ireland, to name a few.

Economic value added and how calculated:

Job creation and contribution to local economic development through the engagement of local businesses, hoteliers, transport and tourism operators.
Alliances with local businesses and promotion of green credit schemes with local stakeholders, offering discounts to those citizens as well as tourists that use sustainable modes of transport.
The project funding has acted as a catalyst for the unlocking of new sources of investment outside the project such as ERDF and private funds, leading to additional investments of 18 million euro during the 4-year life of the project.

The value of investments made outside the project funding were calculated through the direct funds attracted. For example, in Funchal 5 electric buses were financed by ERDF funds, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, hybrid and new electric buses were financed by Guaguas Municipales, the LPA Public Transport company.

Ecological and social project outcomes:

SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Social: improve the quality of life of the local society and reduce the risks of poverty and exclusion.

Environmental: reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency while protecting natural habitats and contributing in the fight against climate change.