"Improvements in accessibility and mobility bring quality of life to all citizens."
José Vicente Valdenebro, General Manager of Pamplona City Council, encouraged that accessibility be taken into account from the beginning of the project. project
"Improvements in accessibility and mobility that are made in a city have an impact on a better quality of life for all citizens". So said José Vicente Valdenebro, General Manager of Pamplona City Council, on the occasion of a workshop organized by the School of Architecture of the University of Navarra at partnership with the association Universal Accessibility.
Also participating were José Javier López, Pamplona City Councilor for Urban Projects and Conservation; Francisco Javier Enériz, Ombudsman; architect Carmelo Fernández; and Javier Álvarez, PhD student of the School.
José Vicente Valdenebro affirmed that Pamplona City Council is working "in a process of continuous improvement" in this aspect, and as an example he mentioned some of the initiatives that are underway, such as the project de Ordenación y Mejora de Accesibilidad del Baluarte de Parma, the Accessibility Plan and mobility in Echavacoiz, and the construction of an elevator in Soto de Lezkairu.
"Currently we have to adjust to the rhythms set by the economic status , but we are clear that we must prioritize the decisions that benefit a greater issue of citizens. Precisely, many of them have to do with accessibility," he stressed.
More than an issue rules and regulations
In that sense, he encouraged architects to "take it into account from the beginning of project, in the same way as the structure or lighting". He also pointed out that it is more than just a question of standards: "They provide specific solutions for curbs, recesses, placement of street furniture... But no law indicates how comfortable pedestrian routes should be, whether mechanical elements should be installed to facilitate movement, or whether parks or routes through walled enclosures should be accessible. This is where the authorities' commitment to improving the city comes into play".
Finally, the General Manager of Pamplona City Council referred to two types of actions in terms of accessibility: in the newer areas it has been present since its design, while the greatest efforts are made in the 'consolidated city'. "With the latter, we try to make these places more attractive as a place for young people to go to residency program and to solve the problems of the elderly", he pointed out.