Thursday, 20th of May, 11:50 – 12:30 CET  

Description

As e-buses are becoming more commercially viable, they are emerging as a viable option for cities to reduce their transport emissions, improve their energy efficiency and security and improve passenger comfort by reducing noise pollution. However, e-buses still present technological, financial, and institutional barriers. One of the main challenges in most cities is building a reliable, stable, and sustainable grid and charging infrastructure. With the difficulties of building such infrastructure comes the need of large financial investments for redesigning streets to incorporate the necessary infrastructure, as well as, for policies enabling the renewal of the current formal and informal bus fleet.

This session focused on how local authorities have started to adopt e-buses. Aside from exploring the challenges and opportunities of this technology, the panelists shared insights on how e-buses are part of their sustainable mobility system.

Agenda

Welcome and introduction by the moderator Tu My Tran, Head of Sustainable Mobility, ICLEI World Secretariat (5 mins)

Presentation by Bhushan Tuladhar, Board Member at Sajha Yatayat, Kathmandu (5 mins) – Presentation 

Presentation by Mats Rosenquist, Public Partnerships, Volvo Group (5 mins) – Presentation 

Presentation by Çağlar Tukel, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, Turkey (5 mins) – Presentation 

Panel discussion and Q&A from the audience (20 mins)

Thursday, 20th of May, 14:10 – 14:50 CET 

Description 

Numerous data from the private and the public sector have indicated a gender gap in active mobility with only about one-third of women commuting by active modes such as cycling. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed more women into cycling. Since the start of the pandemic, cities across the globe have seen a surge in active mobility with bike surge as most prevalent. In response, cities are implementing and promoting initiatives that are taking street space back from cars, encouraging active transportation and thus accommodating for the increase in bike ridership.  As planners and policymakers are rediscovering street space as public spaces, gender equity should play a center role to retain the positive momentum of women in cycling. Equally important is for the public and the private sector to work together to understand and address the barriers preventing women from partaking in cycling.

This session identified the barriers and solutions in redesigning and recreating gender-inclusive public space. Panelists discussed strategies, policies, and infrastructural changes in encouraging more women to cycle and examples of effective implemented pilots were shared.

Agenda

Welcome and introduction by the moderator Ms. Sina Zhen, Sustainable Mobility Junior Officer, ICLEI World Secretariat (5 mins)

Presentation by Ms. Sonal Shah, Executive Director, Centre of Sustainable and Equitable Cities and Founder, The Urban Catalysts  (5 mins)

Presentation by Mr. Emmanuel John, Director, Africa Sustainable Urban Mobility Course and Open Streets Abuja (5 mins) – Presentation

Presentation by Ms. Mirjam Borsboom, Strategic Advisor of Cycling Infrastructure, Data and Innovation at the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (5 mins) – Presentation

Panel discussion and Q&A from the audience (20 minutes)