It will certainly take more than Open Streets Days and yet, the power of these car-free days have captivated the imagination of Cape Town, both citizens and local government. On Sunday, 3rd April, we will be launching a new campaign that is possible with the support of The WWF Nedbank Green Trust.
By challenging the status quo and raising awareness about the huge challenge we are faced with when it comes to transport in our city we want to invite you to help us explore possibilities in building a future of sustainable urban mobility.
As the mayor of Cape Town, Patricia de Lille, expressed in an opinion piece about Open Streets on the Weekend Argus "radical change is required in the realm of mobility, as transportation accounts for a third of Cape Town's carbon emissions and 64% of all energy used in the metropole".
Open Streets car-free days are among those experiments that can help trigger new thinking and hopefully small steps towards new behaviour. De Lille went on to say in her op-ed that these days provide a unique platform for methods of interaction and enjoyment that can help build strong communities and make them realise the power of collective action. The experiential learning of a regular city-wide programme of Open Streets Days, achieved in close collaboration with local government and robust public awareness campaigns will help set the stage for a paradigm shift in individual urban mobility, towards lower carbon transport options.
Open Streets helps highlight opportunities for individuals to address climate change despite its seemingly intractable nature. Indeed, using an empowering model that invites people to experience streets and modes of transport differently on a temporary basis can have a transformative effect.
Through this campaign we aim to help increase the use of public transport and non-motorised transport by challenging the perception of car ownership as inevitable in South Africa. It will be a long way but each one of you can be part of this crucial process. Join us on Sunday to find out more...and to get one of these stickers!
