As part of MobilitArs, the third edition of the training symposium dedicated to the art of urban mobility management being held in Bologna from today until 6 May, Saturday will see the presentation of the national law proposal on Cities 30, promoted by the associations that have come together over recent months to call for safer roads and more liveable cities. The "Città 30 subito" campaign began with street mobilisations, the flash mobs of "human cycle lanes" and "human pedestrian crossings" held in many Italian cities, aimed at drawing attention to this urban model — already applied for some time in many European contexts with excellent results — which remains little considered in Italy.

Things have since been set in motion, with media, citizens and administrations galvanised through information and awareness-raising initiatives to clarify the meaning of this proposal, which is often misunderstood by the public. A City 30, in fact, is not solely about speed limits. It corresponds instead to a more human and liveable vision of the urban environment, one capable of welcoming and protecting people by reclaiming the space assigned to motor vehicles and returning it to them.

And so the campaign, after an initial phase of mobilisations and awareness-raising, has now reached an important milestone: the law proposal put forward by Fiab, Legambiente, Salvaiciclisti, Kyoto Club, Amodo, Clean Cities, Asvis and Fondazione Michele Scarponi. On Saturday, alongside representatives of the associations, local administrators from both centre-right and centre-left, as well as parliamentarians from both the majority and the opposition, will take part in the discussion — because it is now clear that this issue — the redistribution of public space and the health and safety of people — is urgent, regardless of political affiliation.

Bologna, the first major City 30

The focus of the third edition of MobilitArs is "Città 30, la strada è di tutte", a title in the feminine form that hints at a necessary cultural shift to be activated in this field even at the level of language — almost an invitation to strengthen the public debate that has finally opened up in Italy as well.

It is no coincidence that the event is taking place in Bologna, the first major Italian city to become (courageously!) a City 30. During the press conference, Simona Larghetti, councillor with responsibility for Cycling Mobility, emphasises that "With the metropolitan city of Bologna we are putting forward a vision that we would like to reach the central government. Collaboration between the city and its surrounding territory is key — the entire metropolitan community must be involved in this process of transformation."

The first two days of MobilitARS will therefore be dedicated to contributions from experts on the topics of mobility, public space, planning, road safety and communication, offering administrations and technical professionals an opportunity for training and exchange.
Saturday morning, from 10.30 to 12.30, at Palazzo d'Accursio, in the Sala Anziani, will instead be the moment for the presentation and discussion of the national law proposal. The Mayor of Bologna, Matteo Lepore, will deliver the opening remarks, after which some of the representatives of the associations that contributed to drafting the law will take turns at the microphone. For those who wish to follow along, the presentation will be live-streamed on the social media channels of MobilitArs.