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KLIMA PROJECT
Democratizing of mobility in the Philippines

1.3 Хвилини
Pie Escobar
  Pie Escobar
15 minute walkable city

The 15-minute walkable city model promotes easy access to essential services within a short walking distance.

© EIT Urban Mobility

The Philippines has been grappling with a transportation crisis driven by car-centric policies and inadequate infrastructure for decades. It ranks ninth globally and first in Southeast Asia for the worst traffic congestion, according to the Traffic Index by Country 2020. In response, FNF Philippines recognized the need for a study to evaluate public versus private transportation, as well as walkability and cyclability.

To enhance mobility in the country, FNF Philippines supported researches by transport organizations, leading to the study titled "Democratising Mobility – the Application of European Mobility Practices in the Philippines." This research, published on 2023, was co-authored by Edrich Samonte, co-founder and current convenor of PARA - Advocates for Inclusive Transport, and Beatrice Ann A. Dolores, an International Youth Transport Fellow of Urban Movement Innovation Fund and The Clean Mobility Collective.

The study reviews the current state of mobility in the Philippines compared to successful practices in European cities. It highlights that, alongside the improvement of public mass transport, policymakers must rethink the design of roads, highways, and bridges. These spaces should serve not only motorized vehicles but also the broader community as public areas.

Among the European strategies examined in the research is the 15-minute walkable city model, which promotes easy access to essential services within a short walking distance, the “safe systems” approach which emphasizes comprehensive traffic safety plans and the optimization of traffic calming measures to lower speed limits in shared spaces.

The main purpose of the study is to prioritize health, safety, and environmental sustainability, advocating for policies and infrastructure that reduce car dependency while enhancing walkability and cyclability. This approach seeks to move away from neglecting active and public transport, which ultimately improves the flow of traffic for all.

Read the full publication here.