The municipality of Panevėžys is completing the implementation of the pilot project "Space4People" of the European Territorial Cooperation Programme URBACT.

During the implementation of this project, an integrated action plan was made. It aims to increase the attractiveness of public spaces. During the project, the public transport network in the city was analysed and taking into account the fact that many people use the services of Panevėžys Public Hospital and the Consultation Polyclinic every day, in order to ensure smooth access of the residents to these institutions, a new bus service route Nr. 1E "Kniaudiškių g.-Consultation Polyclinic" was introduced. A bus stop next to the Consultation Polyclinic was constructed.

 "The municipality pays great attention to sustainable mobility, encourages people to travel by public transport and ecological vehicles. When implementing this project, we thought about traveling by public transport for families with children. In order to occupy the children by diverting their attention from the busy city streets, we decided to purchase children's sensory walls. While waiting for the bus, the little residents of Panevėžys will be able to concentrate by playing educational games at the sensory wall. The first wall was installed this summer at the bus stop by Music and Art school in the central part of the city. Last week we installed two more sensory walls. One of them was built at the bus stop next to Panevėžys Regional Hospital, the other one - at F. Vaitkaus bus stop. If these sensory walls are positively evaluated by the small residents of Panevėžys, it will be possible to install more of them in the future", says Deputy Director of Administration of Panevėžys City Municipality Žibutė Gaivenienė.

The project "Space for people" aims to share best practices and promote the accessibility of public transport, the vitality of quality public space, accessibility for various user groups, and create visions of the future by testing possible public space solutions. The possibilities to enjoy the city's public spaces in different ways make it vibrant and attractive, and its quality becomes part of a sustainable city.

 The URBACT program supports the sustainable integrated development of European cities, allocates funds for the creation of cooperation networks, exchange of experience, plays an important role in strengthening urban connections, exchanging good practices and finding innovative solutions.