Watch this video clip to see the inspiring urban mobility measures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic by Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Porto and Rome.

The ultimate winner of the award, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria managed to combine a rapid reaction with a long-term vision. Initiatives include increased space for pedestrians and cyclists, and car-free access to key roads on weekends – in the context of its “Mobility Plan for the New Normal”, which heralds the scaling up and replication of short-term solutions. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria set itself apart from other cities by adapting its crisis response as the basis of a new mobility reality.

The wide-ranging responses of Porto and Rome made them very worthy runners-up. By opening temporary pedestrian zones, replacing parking spaces with ‘parklets’ for various uses, introducing an e-scooter sharing programme, and closing streets at weekends, Porto kept its residents safe, its neighbourhoods alive, and its businesses afloat. The Italian capital’s support of physical distancing included the promotion of walking and cycling, enabling safe public transport, and developing a plan for 150km of temporary cycle routes. Of these, 20km are already in place.