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Active and Intelligent Mobility Project (MAIS)

Sfax, Tunisia

2022 - Ongoing

Action PlansMobilityMunicipal DevelopmentRenewable Energy

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Project Description

Approach Words: Capacity Building, Sustainability, Urban Livability

Public Policy Instruments: Communicative, Financial Mechanism, Physical Intervention, Planning

The Active and Intelligent Mobility Project (MAIS) in Sfax¹ is an urban mobility framework² that aims to transition the city towards green and resilient mobility in the face of climate change and improve citizens’ quality of life by promoting sustainable and smart mobility initiatives.³ It also aims to enhance the capacity of city stakeholders to take sustainable mobility actions through multi-level partnerships, innovative financing schemes, and awareness-raising initiatives.⁴ The project aligns with national commitments to energy conservation and the promotion of renewable energies as outlined in the SDG 2030 Agenda.⁵

Title: MAIS Project Flyer Showing Key Partners.

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Title: Awareness Week for Sustainable Transportation.

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Title: Biking Tour held by the Municipality of Sfax.

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Title: Capacity-building training session for Sfax Municipality members and community stakeholders.

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Title: MAIS Project Flyer Showing Key Partners.

Source: Click Here

Title: Awareness Week for Sustainable Transportation.

Source: Click Here

Title: Biking Tour held by the Municipality of Sfax.

Source: Click Here

Title: Capacity-building training session for Sfax Municipality members and community stakeholders.

Source: Click Here

To implement these objectives, the project comprises activities centered around three key pillars: (1) Sustainable mobility planning, (2) Pilot projects to upgrade infrastructure as per the MAIS framework, and (3) Knowledge and awareness about sustainable urban mobility.⁶ ⁷ Each pillar includes a range of sub-projects and activities as follows:

The First Pillar – Sustainable Mobility Planning includes:

Preparation and partial execution of two traffic plans, a pedestrian plan, and a bicycle plan for the municipalities of Sfax and Chihia,⁸
Development of an observatory and a Geographic Information System (GIS) focusing on urban mobility,⁹
Establishment of a metropolitan authority dedicated to urban mobility.¹⁰

The Second Pillar – Pilot Projects to Upgrade Infrastructure includes:

Implementation of a functional photovoltaic power station,¹¹
Establishment of an operational remotely managed traffic control center,¹²
Creation of 7 kilometers of pedestrian pathways,¹³
Development of 45 kilometers of cycling lanes,¹⁴
Introduction of electric municipal vehicles to the fleet,¹⁵
Implementation of an electric bike rental pilot project in partnership with the private sector,¹⁶
Establishment and equipping of dedicated bus lanes.¹⁷

Owner/Developer (Public)

Municipality of Sfax

Municipality of Chihia ²⁸

Consultant/Designer

MedCities ²⁹

Municipality of Sfax

Municipality of Chihia ³⁰

Funder

European Union ³¹

Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation

German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ)³²

Contractor/Implementer

Municipality of Sfax

Municipality of Chihia ³³

MedCities ³⁴

Owner/Developer (Public)

Municipality of Sfax

Municipality of Chihia ²⁸

Contractor/Implementer

Municipality of Sfax

Municipality of Chihia ³³

MedCities ³⁴

Funder

European Union ³¹

Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation

German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ)³²

Consultant/Designer

MedCities ²⁹

Municipality of Sfax

Municipality of Chihia ³⁰

The Third Pillar – Knowledge and Awareness about Sustainable Urban Mobility includes:
a) Knowledge and expertise acquisition for municipal stakeholders:

Ten training sessions,¹⁸
Workshops on climate finance.¹⁹

b) Community awareness initiatives:

Awareness campaigns and initiatives among the target groups of the project,²⁰
Fostering a new culture of active and sustainable mobility through citizen awareness initiatives in collaboration with local media,²¹
Reports summarizing experiences and technical and policy recommendations at the local, national, and regional levels,²²
National and international experiences to contribute to broader insights and best practices in the field.²³

The project was initiated in 2022 and is led by the Sfax Municipality in partnership with MedCities and the municipality of Chihia.²⁴ The project’s total cost is $2.7 million, funded primarily by the European Union. The project also received funds from the Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation, the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the Tunisian Fund for Loans and Support for Local Authorities.²⁵ The project will be implemented in cooperation with the MedCities network and Sfax and Chihia Municipalities²⁶ over four years.²⁷