Greece Correspondent Maria Siti

Introducing our Greece Correspondent Maria Siti!

Here at Pedestrian Space we recently launched a Global Walkability Correspondents Network, as a way to build solidarity among walkability advocates around the world and continue to create media on sustainable mobility and urbanism.

We are grateful to welcome Crete-based Maria as our Greece Correspondent to our growing network of individuals who are passionate walkability advocates.

I know and have seen that cities that “invest” in walking offer better quality of life, social cohesion, health etc.

MARIA SITI

WHO

I am an urban mobility expert in Greece working with a number of passionate colleagues in Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans, accessibility plans, walking and cycling promotion, public transportation enhancement, e-mobility and relevant subjects. I graduated from the National Technical University of Athens in the field of Rural and Surveying Engineering and later specialized in Urban Design and Transportation Engineering.

Cities in Greece have serious deficiencies in terms of sidewalks and pedestrian networks and life in most of the cities relies heavily on car-dependence.

MARIA SITI

I have worked on several European Projects and more than 20 Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans in Greek cities (i.e. Athens, Piraeus, Heraklion, Rethymno etc.) and in my work I also support municipalities in changing the street environment in favor of pedestrians and vulnerable road users and discouraging car-dependency for short and medium trips. I love my job and love communicating good practices from colleagues all over the world!

I recently became a mother and I saw the tough realities of walking with a stroller.

MARIA SITI

WHERE

I originally come from Heraklion, a city in Crete (Greece) and have resided here for the last 10 years. But as I work all over Crete and Greece I will be representing Greece as a Correspondent. Cities in Greece have serious deficiencies in terms of sidewalks and pedestrian networks and life in most of the cities relies heavily on car-dependence.

Walkability as part of my job tasks (urban mobility) has shown me that walking is the primary transport mode and that it is the first to ensure when talking about road safety for all.

Maria Siti

WHY WALKABILITY

First of all, because I love walking and interacting with my surroundings. Secondly, because I recently became a mother and I saw the tough realities of walking with a stroller. Lastly, because I know and have seen that cities that “invest” in walking offer better quality of life, social cohesion, health etc. Of course, having walkability as part of my job tasks (urban mobility) has shown me that walking is the primary transport mode and that it is the first to ensure when talking about road safety for all.

In my work I support municipalities in changing the street environment in favor of pedestrians and vulnerable road users and discouraging car-dependency for short and medium trips.

Maria siti

Learn more about the Global Walkability Correspondents Network here