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In Slovenia, the city of Ljubljana has become the green model of European capitals
In Slovenia, the city of Ljubljana has become the green model of European capitals
(WE, THE EUROPEANS / FRANCE 2)
In fifteen years, the capital of Slovenia has taken an ecological turn and undergone a radical transformation. Today, Ljubljana is car-free and can now be explored on foot, by bike and by electric mini-bus.
Ljubljana, crowned the green capital of Europe in 2016, very early on took the problems linked to climate change seriously. For around twenty years, the Slovenian capital has continued to transform for the benefit of a more ecological way of life. The most emblematic project is the pedestrianization of the city center. Except at certain times and for specific reasons, it is impossible to access the historic center by car.
Alenka Kezman and Clément, her French companion, have lived there for several years and have witnessed the gradual transformation of their neighborhood: “It took years, they didn’t close the city center to traffic all at once because they were aware that people would be very angry. But they did it street by street, slowly, sometimes two streets at the same time, but never all at once, like that people accepted“, explains Alenka.
And the couple happily got used to this new environment. Sitting on one of the many terraces in the heart of the city, they enjoy this new quality of life in the sun over a coffee: “The city has truly transformednotes Clément. It’s hard to realize that fifteen years ago, where we are talking today, there were lanes for cars and the main square was just a roundabout with a statue in the middle.“
To make the center accessible to visitors, solutions have been put in place. Around ten car parks have been created at the entrance to the city at unbeatable prices (1.50 euros for parking and two return tickets to reach the heart of the city). In the streets that have become pedestrianized, electric mini-buses called “Kavalir” circulate, which can be hailed at any time and taken for free.
But these transformations have also complicated the work of traders. While some have gone out of business, others like printer Marko Drpič are trying to adapt to the constraints of a car-free city: “Many merchants left the city center because of this. I too have to organize my life according to the times when I can access the city center. When I have to make a delivery, I have to carry everything by hand, it’s a bit heavy but it’s possible.”
Marija Lah, an umbrella repairer, has not left her shop either. For her, traders and customers alike must change their mentality: “People were saying ‘oh I can’t come by car’. I said: that’s your problem, we have feet, we have bikes, Ljubljana is flat, old people have free cars and buses! The problem is in the head.”
Excerpt from “Slovenia, greener life”, broadcast in “We, the Europeans” on 16 May 2024.
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