South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg, has agreed to host the second Eco-Mobility World Festival next autumn and create a temporary car-free district to demonstrate the benefits of sustainable urban mobility. 

During the month-long festival in October 2015, organised in partnership with ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, Johannesburg will encourage residents in Sandton, one of the city’s busiest districts, to choose public transport, walking and cycling over private car use.

Councillor Parks Tau, Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, said: ‘We want to show residents and visitors that an eco-mobile future is possible and that public transport, walking and cycling can be accessible, safe [and] attractive.’ Johannesburg is committing to providing alternative transport in and around Sandton during the festivities, and will also host forums and activities dedicated to sustainable mobility.

The next steps for the city are to begin engaging residents, property owners, businesses and transport stakeholders to plan road closings and the festival’s programme. 

Original author: Lewis Macdonald