Author(s)

S. Basbas, G. Mintsis, K. Oikonomou & C. Taxiltaris

Abstract

In the framework of this paper an integrated scheme for a sustainable and accessible environment in central areas is presented. The scheme refers to the city of Ioannina, which is an important trade, transport and cultural center of North-Western Greece. The city has a population of 100,000 inhabitants. The basic objective of the integrated scheme is to improve conditions for the pedestrians in the central area of the city by actually removing vehicular traffic to a great extent, and at the same time providing an extensive network of pedestrian streets and squares. Since there is a large number of historic buildings in the central area, which attract visitors from all over the country, special attention is given to the problem of accessibility and parking. Keywords: sustainability, accessibility, environment, pedestrianization, traffic. 1 Introduction Transport is a dynamic area of study and research. Transport systems sprawl spatially and determine the degree of accessibility or the easiness to reach markets and services. The spatial development and the transport system are interrelated and interconnected, as the existence of the first presupposes the existence of the second and vice-versa. Traffic and environmental associated problems mainly appear in central areas of many cities around the world and in many cases an integrated policy (transport-environment-new technologies) is needed in order to overcome these problems [1]. As far as the transport system is

Keywords

sustainability, accessibility, environment, pedestrianization, traffic.