Bologna Città 30. Experiences and perspectives

Bologna is the first major Italian city to become a ‘30 km/h City’, following the example of many other European cities. Since its launch in 2022, the ‘Bologna Città 30’ Plan has marked the beginning of a technical process, culminating in the approval of the detailed Urban Traffic Plan in June 2023. Since then, the implementation of the plan, supported by an ongoing public communication campaign, has been constant. On January 16, 2024, implementation was completed with the start of roadside controls. One year after the adoption of this measure, the data feedback has been positive and encouraging. Today, it is clear not only that Bologna Città 30 offers the advantages of greater road safety, but also that this policy supports the implementation of new mobility strategies in defining alternative scenarios for the future of the city. In this regard, the construction of two new tramway lines currently underway and numerous projects dedicated to the implementation of cycling mobility correspond to a largely renewed image of the city and its future perspectives. This contribution illustrates the most important events in the aforementioned transformation, highlights some of its results and critical aspects, and outlines some perspectives on Bologna’s future.