On February 21, We joined a midnight street painting with the Sparking Active Mobility Actions for Climate-friendly Cities (#SPARK) Project at the A. Mabini Street, in Pasig City. The street is home to some of the historical landmarks such as Plaza Bonifacio, Plaza Rizal, Pasig Museum, and the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. making it an ideal location for the city as many of its residents gather in such public spaces and at the same time it align efforts on community-based projects.

 

 

Prior to the activity held in Pasig, we have previously joined the painting activity during its pilot on Maginhawa Street in Quezon City. Tactical urbanism, are small-scale interventions that aimed to improve public safety and pedestrian mobility. Such small intervention highlights community-based projects that promote collaboration, practical, and alternative way to shape our spaces.

 

According to ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, by 2023 the greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector in the Philippines are foreseen  to double. Meanwhile, active mobility has the potential to reduce 3.46 million tons of emissions in highly urbanized cities while contributing to public health, equity, and green socio-economic recovery. Emphasizing on its potential to reduce CO2 emissions, efforts to decarbonize urban cities can improve the community’s well being, health, and even ease traffic congestion as public transportation is prioritized.  

Since the activity was held in the wee hours at night, we brought a small solar-powered generator to help the volunteers as they painted the roads. For this night, joined in this activity are our movement building campaigner, Jean and our sustainable transport campaigner, Jenny. Both of them are engaged with campaigns in promoting active mobility and cleaner energy. 

Additionally, these initiatives challenge urban areas—which account for more than 50% of CO₂ emissions—to promote active mobility, inclusive roadways, and policies, ultimately contributing to climate solutions

 

Supporting tactical urbanism activities like this helps increase visibility and encourages cities to develop roads that prioritize pedestrians and vulnerable road users. It echoes, on how we would envision sustainable future, where road users are actively catering to the multi-modal modes of transportation.

 

 

The #SPARKProject is a joint project by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), in partnership with the local governments of Quezon City and Pasig City.