A methodological approach in order to support decision-makers when defining Mobility and Transportation Politics



Another relevant fact in the Portuguese context is the timing. Right now it has passed 10 years
since the first generation of the municipal master plans. As a consequence, they will have to be
revised in short term. This brings an excellent opportunity to introduce new policies, and new
methodologies of evaluating and organizing the territory; the local plan is increasing its
importance as a major municipal management tool.

One of the things that is being put forward at the municipal context is the inclusion of a set of
principles. For instance in Lisbon context, it is being proposed the incorporation of principles
regarding the right to mobility, the priority to the citizen, the need of management of the system,
the need to define clear objectives to be achieved by the system, and finally the need of
monitoring the system and to be able of correct it in real time.

The introduction of the prior goals and objectives in master plans brings in a completely fresh
vision to the sector supporting the need to invest more resources in mobility management, more
resources in finding the links among transportation sector and other vital sector of urban area.

As important as the Municipal Master Plans, are the Metropolitan Authorities of Transportation
with legal framing (DL 268/2003). Until now there are only two metropolitan areas in Portugal
which are Lisbon and Oporto, however it is in course a process to create more metropolitan
areas, or, in a smaller dimension, regional associations of municipalities.

To form these metropolitan areas, municipalities must get together with their neighbours, and this
of course means have a coherent and common policies.

To act as regional entities (metropolis or other regional associations), accessibility among them
and with the surroundings is essential. It is important to understand the flows of people and
freight, and manage them. Is important to ensure sustainable policies regarding transportation,
which will positively influence the competitiveness of the region, and its social welfare.

Therefore, it is possible to point out that there are two major challenges right now: one is at the
local level and another is at the regional level.

An effort should be placed on building a strategy common to the region by one side (a strategy to
be built using many themes and one is for sure transportation and mobility), and another at a
local level, where the regional interests must be considered but, more important, the local
interests must be promoted.

3. Case Study

The case study main goal was to develop a strategic framework on mobility and customize it
accordingly to the municipality of Alcobaça main characteristics and needs. This strategic
document is traditionally inexistent in Portugal, and it is very important as a first step that will lead
to the elaboration of a mobility plan for the municipality.

The objective was to provide the decision-maker with an instrument of evaluation of strategies to
be taken in the municipality, by analysing strengths, weakness and opportunities in the
municipality prior to the elaboration of a mobility plan and trying as much as possible to include
the recommendations of the municipal master plan (PDM), but at the same time, being an
important source of information in what concerns mobility and transportation issues to the PDM.
The fact that the Municipal Master Plan is under a process of revision enhances the capacity of
interaction and of mutual knowledge.

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