João Ferreira, the CDU candidate for Lisbon City Council, presented comprehensive measures this Sunday aimed at making Lisbon a more child-friendly city. The event took place at Jardim da Estrela, featuring music, drawings, and games for children.
Key Proposals for a Kinder Lisbon
Ferreira emphasized that Lisbon has become progressively more hostile to children over the years. He stated, "It's no coincidence that children today spend much less time outdoors, and the primary mode of transport between home and school is the car."
Urban Planning and Safety
The CDU's approach starts with urban planning to ensure public spaces are safe and high-quality for children. This includes:
- Special attention to architectural and urban design.
- Measures to increase road safety, such as traffic calming and reducing dangerous traffic zones.
Dedicated School Transport
A dedicated Carris service for school transport is proposed, currently a pilot project initiated by communist councilors. The goal is to consolidate it for all children up to age 12 and expand it citywide. Additionally, the party aims to enhance the "school passport" program, which facilitates educational trips but is currently limited.
School Infrastructure and Meals
Lisbon's school infrastructure is described as highly degraded. The CDU advocates for:
- A rehabilitation plan for schools in urgent need of repair.
- Regular maintenance schedules.
- Hiring more educational assistants.
- Substantially improving school meals by internalizing the service, currently outsourced to external companies with numerous complaints.
Play and Development Initiatives
- "Ruas que brincam" (Streets that Play): Regular events, such as on weekends, where certain streets are reserved for guided and free children's play.
- Improving school playgrounds to make them more attractive, challenging, and supportive of conflict management.
- Upgrading playground equipment to stimulate various stages of child development, moving away from stereotyped and unstimulating designs.
Cultural Enhancements
In the cultural sphere, the CDU proposes:
- A municipal plan to encourage reading from an early age.
- Strengthening the International Literature Festival, initially a CDU proposal, with greater involvement from city schools.
Electoral Context
In the upcoming municipal elections on October 12, candidates for Lisbon mayor include Alexandra Leitão (PS/Livre/BE/PAN), Carlos Moedas (PSD/CDS-PP/IL), João Ferreira (CDU-PCP/PEV), and others. The current municipal executive comprises members from various coalitions, including "Novos Tempos" and "Mais Lisboa."
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