Shell promotes sustainable urban solutions

As the economy slowly recovers from the adverse effects of the pandemic, the country needs efficient and active multimodal transport systems that will help businesses and communities operate efficiently and sustainably, industry leaders said. .

During the Future Festival, a four-part series launched by Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. (PSPC) which tackles the pillars essential to the nation’s progress, transport sector leaders highlighted mobility challenges such as insufficient access to public transport, weak infrastructure and outdated policies. To address this, they looked at urban planning, sustainability and innovative solutions based on efficiency, public safety, thoughtful planning and collaboration.

Speaking at the online forum, Randy del Valle, vice president and general manager of mobility for PSPC, said: “Mobility is not just about transportation. whether it’s traffic, urbanization, the need for safer roads and public transport, or the long-term effects of the pandemic – we need many solutions, not just one. ” Deputy Transport Secretary Mark Steven Pastor, an advocate for active transport, said his organization was seeking to expand the country’s pre-existing 500 kilometers of “cycle lane networks in metropolitan cities with the aim of increasing accessibility to areas of ‘key activity and fundamental facilities, significantly reducing carbon as well as promoting road safety. “He said the Ministry of Transport is also exploring improving the mobility of conventional vehicles through dedicated lanes for The public utility vehicle movement project, said Pastor, is a “large-scale transformational initiative of this administration that is structured, modern, well managed and environmentally sustainable. Drivers have a stable, sufficient and dignified livelihood while commuters get to their destinations safely. and comfortably. ”Additionally, as travel slowly picks up, National Capital Region (NCR) Department of Tourism Director Woodrow Maquiling Jr. said“ greenways have been put in place ”. With the support of the national government and more flexible health protocols, these will allow the entry of fully vaccinated people into the country for business or leisure. Maquiling added that this initiative will lead to “boosting commercial activity and to provide employment opportunities while ensuring security against the spread of Covid-19, “he said.

“Cycling” towns

Beyond the locality, Kevin Punzalan, Senior Policy Officer of the Netherlands Embassy in the Philippines, shared his ideas based on the strategies and best practices of the Dutch who have pioneered some of the most “cities” cyclables ”in the world.

“Cycling cities are better designed for people, make transportation accessible and affordable, and create a healthier and safer city,” Punzalan said, noting that more funding and government policies are needed to ensure safety and mobility. efficient cyclists and pedestrians.

Keisha Mayuga, Head of the Safe Walking and Cycling Transportation Program at Move As One, said, “The top three barriers preventing people from taking active transportation are the lack of cycle paths, bicycle parking and bicycle parking. of facilities after the trip to their destinations ”. For his part, Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr., principal architect and founder of Palafox Associates, stressed that the country’s urban planning initiatives in terms of mobility “are a hundred years behind.” Safety is also a vital factor which mobility must be taken into account, he noted.

“Town planning [in the country] is always looking for supply and demand for traffic, ”Palafox added. “EDSA works like eight roads: main artery, minor artery, access roads, and so on. This is why the traffic [is congested]On a related note, Bill Luz, president of Liveable Cities Challenge Philippines, cited the lack of urban planning experts who can help cities and municipalities establish their own sustainable systems and improve road safety in the city. local communities.