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The CIVITAS Initiative helps cities to achieve a more sustainable, clean and energy efficient urban transport system by implementing, de-monstrating and evaluating an ambitious integrated mix of technology and policy based measures. Urban traffic congestion, accidents and pollution are serious problems in Europe's cities, therefore transport and mobility are of highest priority for local authorities. In 2000 the European Commission recognised the need for action and launched the CIVITAS Initiative, designed as a programme of "cities for cities". In order to achieve their objectives, the CIVITAS cities test a coherent set of measures that are specifically selected to match local circumstances.
The measures address both the demand and the supply side of transport. The activities in the demonstration cities aim to provide a better quality of life for all citizens. The number of participating cities is constantly increasing and more than 100 cities over Europe are part of the CIVITAS community.
THE EIGHT BUILDING BLOCKS OF AN INTEGRATED STRATEGY
1. Increasing the use of alternative fuels and clean and energy efficient vehicles, and enhancing their integration into the urban transport system
2. Stimulating high quality and innovative energy-efficient collective passenger trans- port services, including intermodal integration with other transport modes
3. Implementing demand management strategies based upon economic (dis)incentives, regulatory measures (including zoning and spatial planning) and tele-services
4. Influencing travel behaviour and modal choice through mobility management plans, marketing, communication, education and information campaigns
5. Developing safe and secure road-infrastructure and means of travel for all users
6. Introducing mobility services that promote new forms of more energy-efficient vehicle use and/or ownership and a less car-dependent lifestyle
7. Promoting energy-efficient freight logistics services and new concepts for goods distribution
8. Enhancing the use of innovative transport telematics systems for traffic management and traveller support, including solutions based upon satellite applications/GALILEO.
Every European city has the chance to become a member of the CIVITAS Forum by signing the CIVITAS Forum Declaration in order to join the exciting community of over 100 cities that is pioneering clean urban transport in Europe. By uniting cities who share common goals, CIVITAS is able to achieve its peer group education goal and offer financial support to cities for sustainable mobility initiatives. Through workshops and training events, cities have the opportunity to inspire and aid active exchange of know-how, ideas and experience to facilitate change in the field of transport. Members of the CIVITAS Forum can participate in the annual CIVITAS Forum conference. This conference enables similar-minded colleagues from Europe and beyond to engage in dialogue with other cities and European Institutions. Political representatives of CIVITAS Forum cities are also able to become members of the CIVITAS Policy Advisory Committee (PAC). The PAC is a group of highly motivated politicians from the CIVITAS Forum cities. It provides support to the CIVITAS Initiative in the identification of policy priorities and produces statements addressed to policy makers at the European, national and local level, as well as to the industry, transport operators and other stakeholders.
Source: European Commission
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