Núria Bové. Partner at SÁ Abogados
What can we learn in mobility from your city of Paris?
Since I arrived in Paris many years ago to work as a lawyer I have been able to appreciate many changes. If I think of any idea that can be exported to Barcelona, it is the municipal initiative in favor of professionals who need to drive around the city and outskirts by car. In the last twenty years, the policy adopted in Paris has been to increasingly discourage the use of cars in the city, either with continuous restrictions on access and the multiplication of works aimed at facilitating other means of transport such as bicycle or scooters.
Despite everything, and given that many professionals need to use the car to work and that pollution must be reduced, the City Council implemented a measure in the summer of 2021 aimed at promoting the use of low-emission vehicles: electric cars. It created a free professional card that allows you to park in blue zones for seven hours without paying the meter.
At the same time, the French State agreed to financial aid to purchase an electric vehicle and increasingly develop non-polluting cars. This has made it possible to solve the problems of professionals who need to drive and park in Paris without increasing air pollution.
How could this initiative be transferred to Barcelona?
As in Paris, in Barcelona measures are increasingly being implemented to reduce pollution and congestion. Restrictions on the use of private cars in the city center have generated a great debate about how to efficiently integrate it into the daily lives of its inhabitants.
If we follow the example of Paris, a possible solution is to encourage the use of electric and shared cars. Barcelona already has a powerful network of charging points, but more incentives are needed, such as discounts on parking or exclusive lanes for these vehicles. Another strategy is to improve public transportation. Expanding the network, offering more attractive rates and extended hours are measures that encourage people to leave their cars at home. In addition, promoting the use of bicycles with more lanes and safe parking helps reduce car dependency.
Technology is essential. Integrated mobility applications that allow you to plan routes combining various means of transport facilitate the transition towards more sustainable and efficient mobility. In summary, integrating the car in Barcelona involves a holistic approach that combines technology, infrastructure and efficient public transport.
