The Italian city of Milan began to lift the lockdown with caution, complete with a new plan to battle pollution. City Mayor Giuseppe Sala has been instrumental in transforming Milan into a climate-smart city in the recent past, and has now broadened its scope after the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, Milan is working on making all public transportation electric by 2030.
The city that has been severely affected by the Coronavirus epidemic is now looking forward to adapting to a new world and, with it, change perceptions of a big city. Milan, which was once a very polluted city is now much cleaner with blue skies due to the lockdown. The average nitrogen dioxide levels plummeted by 24 per cent in the last month.
In order to give a promising future to Milan residents, the authorities have created a new plan (that could start next month), which is being called Strade Aperte, or Open Streets. The idea is to create a 35 km cycling route across the city of Milan, and also to widen pedestrian pavements. Furthermore, the city is planning to reduce parking spaces so that drivers are unable to enter the city centre.
Milan was once notorious for its traffic jams, and the authorities now think that reducing the use of cars is going to help everyone in the long run. Milan’s councillor made a valid point by stating that if everybody drives a car, there is no space for people.
Here’s hoping that when Milan reopens, it does so in a new light.