Description
The idea of the project is a watchdog activity and cooperation for the implementation of the sustainable transport system, enhancing the position of unprotected road users, and creating more friendly public space - problems that are often neglected in Warsaw. An important objective will be to control the activities of local administration, including implementation of the Warsaw transport strategy. The existing and planned activities will be carefully audited in order to identify and eliminate common problems. The project includes research activities (reports), corrective action (intervention), training initiatives (handbooks) and activities to increase civic participation. Implementation of the project together with Social Dialogue Commission (KDS) will allow not only for confrontation, but also for cooperation: horizontal (between 20 KDS organizations) and vertical (between KDS and local administration). The project will also give more initiative to KDS in preparing its own proposals.
Summary of project results
Warsaw has a great potential in social control over functioning and development of the transport system. The problem lies in the fact that activities undertaken in this field are insufficiently publicised and synchronised, and more consistency is needed on the part of the city authorities in implementing accepted transport strategy and cooperating with civil society representatives. The aim of the project was to secure coherent and consistent development by the authorities of Warsaw of an inhabitant-friendly city space, also by promoting public transport and non-motorised traffic. Control and intervention activities were conducted. The Association Green Mazowsze assessed over 100 projects important for non-motorised persons and the quality of city space, taking into account opinions gathered among organisations and individual persons. At least 27 projects took into account the opinions. The association initiated 160 interventions in cases of the existing irregularities, and half of the problems have been or will soon be solved. The activities and the initiatives under the project were widely reported in media, such as, among others, six thematic reports prepared with the help of experts, travelling exhibition presenting methods to improve the city transport system, and also social proposals for public space management. Meetings on the safety of the city space in the vicinity of schools were organised with the representatives of schools. In addition, the manual for good practices was published and used during seminars organised with participation of workers of the Warsaw Town Hall and municipal offices of other cities. The activities implemented under the project helped to improve the transport system of the capital and the quality of city space. The changes include more frequent consultations of transport projects and introduction of automatic detection of pedestrians. As a result of exchange of experiences, publicising problems, preparing and using the reports and expert opinions, both partners of the project, as well as the Town Hall, were strengthened. The project partner - a Committee gathering about 20 NGOs - became an active partner for municipal authorities. During implementation of the project, the Committee met 41 times, of which 22 times with participation of the authorities, including the vice president of Warsaw. The committee adopted 39 resolutions, based on reports and expert opinions prepared under the project. Its voice was often heard.
Summary of bilateral results