By Tanya Mohn
Pontevedra, a relatively small city in northwest Spain, has been at the forefront of prioritizing pedestrians over vehicles for over two decades. The city has significantly influenced other towns and remains a shining example of how to effectively tackle climate change challenges by minimizing traffic and lowering emissions.
Upon his election in 1999, Mayor Miguel Anxo Fernández Lores initiated a transformation aimed at fostering clean air, walkable streets, and safety within the city. Since then, Pontevedra has garnered international acclaim and numerous accolades for sustainable mobility, road safety, and urban planning.
Officials, architects, and urban planners from several cities across Europe, North and South America, and Asia have shown interest and visited Pontevedra, including a recent delegation from Suncheon, South Korea, eager to learn about its successes.
In a video interview, the mayor elaborated on the measures taken by the city and their potential for replication elsewhere. The discussion, interpreted by Jesús Gómez Viñas, Pontevedra’s general director of mobility, and Daniel Macenlle, general director of security, has been edited for brevity.
Q: You referred to Pontevedra as a “car warehouse” in 1999. What did you mean by that?
A: The city center was overwhelmed with private vehicles and traffic congestion. There were significant levels of noise, pollution, and safety hazards. The municipality spans around 120 square kilometers (approximately 46 square miles) and houses nearly 85,000 residents, with about 80% living in the historic core, which experienced vehicle volumes three times greater than Madrid and five times that of London daily.
Q: What motivated you to initiate changes?
A: In the twelve years prior to my mayoral role, I explored alternative urban models. I read numerous books, including “City of Children” by Francesco Tonucci, which delves into urban transformation and necessary changes. I also studied what various cities were doing in Spain and beyond.
Q: What objectives did you set in 1999?
A: Our aim was to reclaim public spaces for pedestrians and restrict vehicle presence in the city core. We envisioned a people-centric city, compact enough that essential services and shops would be within a five-minute walk, accessible to all.
Q: What were the initial actions taken?
A: Changes were rolled out gradually. The initial phases, spanning four to eight years, aimed to increase public space for residents by limiting traffic and removing most cars from circulation. We achieved this by preventing vehicles from using the city center as a short-cut or parking in the area. We closed off certain roads, eliminated nearly all on-street parking, and established free parking on the outskirts, allowing only essential traffic for operations like deliveries and passenger drop-offs.
Eventually, streets were narrowed, sidewalks broadened, speed limits reduced, traffic-calming features such as elevated pedestrian crossings and other physical barriers were added, alongside increased lighting, trees, and green areas.
Q: How did the residents respond?
A: Early on, protests occurred until the community recognized the positive outcomes of the changes. While we listened to public feedback, it is vital for leaders to exhibit the political will to advance the project despite initial resistance.
Once I took office, my dedicated team had a clear vision. Within a month of pedestrianizing the historic center, citizen approval surged among residents, business owners, and professional groups. Grasping the benefits, they requested further changes, which expanded to adjacent areas.
Q: Have any cities achieved similar results to Pontevedra?
A: Numerous cities globally are taking steps toward reclaiming public spaces and striving for environmental harmony, but progress is often slow and lacks the decisiveness displayed in Pontevedra. Many could implement such changes but do not.
Much of the knowledge regarding transformations has been around for decades. Concepts and literature dating back to 1928 exist, yet there is a lack of action toward implementing these ideas. Many governmental leaders are aware of the necessary steps but fear electoral backlash.
Q: Can the successful strategies seen in Pontevedra be applied to any city or town?
A: The principles and philosophies that drove Pontevedra—reducing traffic, repurposing spaces from cars to pedestrians, implementing traffic calming measures—are universally applicable.
Success hinges on three fundamental pillars: political determination, capable civil services, and community backing. Politicians need to be knowledgeable about mobility and urban transformations, possessing a clear vision for implementation. The officials—police, engineers, architects, and others—must understand project goals and collaborate effectively. Furthermore, the public must comprehend and support these policies, actively endorsing them through voting.
Q: Are the challenges faced by large and small cities distinct?
A: Larger cities typically experience fewer issues since residents have access to various transportation options, often comprising complex public transit systems, such as metros, which Pontevedra lacks. Banning cars necessitates that people rely largely on foot transportation. However, despite additional hurdles for smaller cities, Pontevedra’s principles are globally relevant.
Q: What is the current estado of Pontevedra?
A: The air quality remains excellent year-round, with CO2 emissions reduced by around 70%, resulting in minimal noise pollution. Traffic has diminished—by 97% in the historic district and by 77% and 53% in the surrounding areas.
The allocated space for pedestrians has expanded. Approximately 90% of travel within the city center occurs on foot, with 80% of children aged 6 to 12 walking to school and enjoying safe play in squares and streets; there have been no traffic fatalities since 2011.
People have returned to the city core, with Pontevedra experiencing population growth and becoming the youngest city in Galicia, a region that has seen overall decline. Urban transformation is an ongoing process, and we continue to work on it, but the quality of life here is notably high, as evidenced by observable changes.
