This week I have been talking with Angel Costa-Perales and Lars jacob, students who are involved with the Impact Network for Regenerative Futures (IN4RF). Angel studies Agrifood and Biological Engineering at University Polytechnic Valencia (UPV) in Spain, with Dr. Guillermo Palau Salvador as the facilitating teacher. With this educational background, Angel is very aware of the problems that Valencia faces with continuous droughts and floods in the region.
Lars studies business at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences in Maastricht, Netherlands, with Dr. Sanne Van Oort as his facilitating teacher. The school has an innovative approach to education where students study through curiosity and practice, following goals set each semester. The students have joined together to collaborate on a seed project that aims to encourage biking as a method of transport in Valencia and across the world.
Since the effects of the floods in Valencia, the students recognise a need to use alternative transport to get about town. The train and underground systems have electronic, rail line, and there is road damage, so much of the public transport is not an option. Since the flooding, officials from the local council pledged to donate 700 bicycles to residents in need.
The servere weather is likely to reoccur, so the students want to build awareness of the need for a sustianble transport system for the local community. The univeristy in valencia have recently conducted a survey about method of transport in the area and found that 22% use the bike r e-scooter, 18% walk, 27% use public transport and 33% use their private car. According to Angel, cycling is the easiest and quickest method of transport in Valencia. The irregular schedule of trains, trams and busses were inefficient for getting to school or work on time even before the floods. Valencia is flat and usually expereinces quite mild temperatures in the winter, so people should be able to cycle relatively easily all year round.
A green biking initittive can help residents to overcome cultural, financial and knowldge based challenges that prevent the community to choose cycling as transport method. While bike theft and e-scooters are a recognised challenge that needs to be considered, benefits of short distances and quick routes should help convince locals that cycling is the right option. Plans to inform residents and provide learning opportunties about the benefits of cycling are being made now.
Angel pointed out that Valencia was made green capital of europe for 2024 as part of an EU fund for city development, but no real change is noticable in the town. Lars suggested:
“Since no real change has come from the politicans, or leaders, it is up to the people to make the change. We need to do something for the community to have a share in our future”.
Several other students are getting involved, welcome Melissa, Alicia and Blyth. As the international interest grows more help is on its way. If you are interested in getting involved with this active group of students to help share and gain support from one and other, get in contact.
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