The EKOLIITU plan, prepared in Hämeenlinna region, was among the first plans in Finland to integrate the sustainable mobility perspective into traditional traffic safety plans. The plan promotes a safer, healthier and a more sustainable mobility in the Hämeenlinna region consisting of three municipalities in southern Finland. The EKOLIITU plan, adopted in 2011 by Hämeenlinna, Janakkala and Hattula in Southern Finland, is a good example of an integrated planning approach that emphasises participation of actors from several sectors, such as urban planning, health, safety, education etc. The plan promotes a safer, healthier and a more sustainable mobility in the three participating municipalities.
EKOLIITU aims at giving the citizens and other actors the tools for making sustainable choices and change their behaviour to more sustainable ways. The visions the plan follows are:
- Hämeenlinna region offers its citizens a healthy, safe and enjoyable living environment where many different kinds of means of transport can be used;
- Citizens of the region can actively participate in the development of the region and take advantage of the sustainable modes of transport that are offered and are aware of their positive impact on the living environment.
Communication and information sharing from authorities to citizens and other stakeholders is highly prioritized in the plan.
The plan considers sustainable and safe mobility from three perspectives : decisions made on the structure of the city; sustainability of mobility and transport and safety of mobility and travel. It is possible to influence citizens' behavior and choices in three different ways: by offering more information, developing their skills and creating such conditions that allow people to make smart choices. Besides offering carrots the fourth way is to use sticks such as recommendations, restrictions for parking etc. This has been the starting point of the plan for setting the targets and selecting the right measures.
Cooperation between different municipal entities and private and third sectors is highligted as vital in order to achieve goals and measures in the plan. EKOLIITU was developed as part of a national program for mobility guidance funded by the Finnish Ministry of Transport and communications and the Finnish Transport Agency. The plan includes visions for developing mobility in all aspects, traffic safety, energy efficient transport, walking, biking and use of public transport, within the area.
The EKOLIITU plan includes updated plans for traffic safety and concrete ideas on how to make the region more sustainable and how to promote a new way of thinking on mobility.
Photo: Copyright Hämeenlinnan kaupunki