European Commission selected CityWalk project to be introduced it in a video. On May 5th, Béla Kézy and Miklós Lukovics met with Manon Levrey in Budapest.

Where did the interview with Manon take place?

The interview took place in Budapest at three different places: Manon (together with the video crew) welcomed us in the meeting room of JTS of the Danube Transnational Program located in the building of the Ministry for National Economy. Here we also met Ana Leganel who is the contact person of the CityWalk project on behalf of the JTS. We provided a short but – as usual – very passionate introduction of the walkability challenge and how CityWalk intends to address it. All attendees expressed their appreciation about the project. Then – true to our theme - we continued our discussion as a walking meeting in the streets of Budapest. Finally, the discussion ended at a rooftop terrace.

What did you talk about?

During the interview, we highlighted that the CityWalk project is only one ingredient of our overall vision about sustainable urban mobility. We also explained that this topic – walkability – needs to be handled in an integrated way - it is not only about walking but cycling and public transport.

What was the most interesting question you were asked?

Manon Levrey asked us to describe the project with just one word without using the words 'city' or 'walk'. The words 'happiness' and 'smile' occurred to us immediately, because according to our experience, people really like and are interested in this project wherever we are and it makes us happy. Also, people who walk regularly tend to smile more – walking actually makes you happy :) 

Why did the European Commission take such a great interest in the CityWalk project?

The reasons are manifolds. Perhaps the previously mentioned facts have something to do with it, as the nice results which we have already delivered at such an early phase of the project. But probably the communication is convincing, too: we communicate the results and the whole project in a very positive way; we always do our best to highlight not only the content of the project but also the benefits, positive effects they have on cities. And, policies, interventions that improve our cities and make the life of city dwellers better are clearly of great interest to the European Commission.

What is your most memorable moment from the shooting?

It is unambiguously the fact that the whole shooting happened during walking, and what else could better capture the main essence – and the key message – of our CityWalk project.