For a Costa Rica That Moves!

How do you commute to work? By public transport? By car? Or perhaps you walk or use a bicycle? In Costa Rica, half of the population commonly uses the bus and more than 40% use their private car. Alternative means such as bicycles are used by only 1.6%, according to a study developed by the German Development Cooperation GIZ. Not surprisingly, 44% of the country's CO2 emissions are generated by the transport sector. Particularly in the Greater Metropolitan Area, where more than 60% of the population resides, a mainly car-centric thinking - and thus public infrastructure - has been cultivated.  

In order to strengthen active and pedestrian mobility in the country, GIZ has launched several initiatives together with local governments. Together with Fundación Arquitectura Solidaria and the Municipality of Santa Ana, a series of participatory sessions were developed with neighbors of all ages, to open a space for discussion on the use of bicycles in their municipality. The results of the sessions were used for the external design of the rehabilitation of a bus that is no longer in use, converting it into a parking space for the Municipality's public bicycles.  

This initiative promotes access to this means of transport and thus encourages the active aging of the population, the reduction of greenhouse gases and active mobility.  

In addition, GIZ accompanied the National Union of Local Governments in a participatory process for the creation of a prototype regulation for the Pedestrian Mobility Law. The Municipality of San José was one of the first local governments to officially approve and publish the regulation. This regulation will regulate guidelines for the development of a comprehensive pedestrian mobility system and public spaces, prioritizing safe, agile, accessible, and inclusive mobility on public roads.

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