Slowing down traffic was a safety move, but also part of a wider city strategy focused on reclaiming public space, promoting green mobility, and making the city more livable for everyone. The results? Fewer accidents, more green spaces — and growing public support.
Just two weeks after introducing the 30 km/h limit, road accidents dropped by 21%, and pedestrian-involved collisions decreased by 27%. One year later, not a single pedestrian fatality had occurred in Bologna.
But beyond numbers, a cultural shift was happening. More and more drivers are adjusting to the new rules, and residents are starting to see streets not just as routes for cars, but as shared spaces for people walking, cycling, or with limited mobility.
The speed limit is just one part of Bologna’s broader urban renewal plan. Alongside “Città 30”, the city is redesigning streets, introducing traffic-calming zones, car-free areas, and “school streets” where traffic is limited around educational institutions.
The focus is on vulnerable groups — children, elderly people, and people with disabilities. The goal: create a more accessible, inclusive, and people-centered city.
Other key investments include removing physical barriers, updating public infrastructure, and building two new tram lines to improve access to underserved neighborhoods.
Through the “Bologna Verde” program, the city is bringing green spaces into forgotten corners — especially in areas that lack parks or recreational facilities.
Trees, parks, and community gardens don’t just look good — they fight climate change, improve air quality, and make neighborhoods healthier and more enjoyable.
Citizens are directly involved. Through “District Labs”, locals work side-by-side with city officials to co-design their neighborhood — turning parking spots into plazas and creating pilot pedestrian zones that reflect local needs and ideas.
Bologna has also addressed the needs of people traveling at night. A special night bus line called Nottambula connects the suburbs with the city center after dark.
The buses are staffed by trained personnel ready to help women traveling alone, seniors, or people with disabilities, making nighttime travel safer and more inclusive.
The city’s inclusive approach extends beyond infrastructure — it’s about comfort, safety, and equal access to services for everyone.
Not everyone was thrilled. While families and road safety advocates welcomed the changes, some in the transport sector—especially taxi drivers and couriers—pushed back, citing longer routes and economic losses.
Taxi associations even tried to challenge the policy in court, but the regional tribunal upheld Bologna’s decision. That ruling cemented Bologna’s role as a leader in urban transformation.
To ease tensions, the city launched a network of Città 30 Ambassadors — local volunteers who engage with residents, explain the project’s goals, and address concerns. This human approach has helped build trust and community support.
Thanks to its innovative vision and effective execution, Bologna won the 2024 European Mobility Week Award and now leads a European task force on low-speed zones. Its mission? Help other cities replicate the success, sharing not just legal or technical advice, but also cultural and communication strategies.
Bologna proves that real change isn’t only about roads and regulations—it’s also about education, dialogue, and citizen participation.
Bologna’s experience shows that even radical change can work when it’s done transparently, with community involvement and a focus on shared well-being.
A year into “Città 30”, the city hasn’t just made its streets safer — it has reimagined public space, replacing chaos and concrete with a greener, fairer, and more human vision of the future.
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