Cycling- Based Ecocentric Transportation (Case Study: Area C of Milan, Italy)

The new ecocentric paradigm in urban management and planning has led to the recognition of cycling as one of the most important intra-city transportation systems. The present study seeks to achieve a comprehensive explanation of cycling-based green transportation model, its benefits, challenges, and opportunities, through documentary and thematic analysis techniques. A total of 13 challenges and 20 opportunities and solutions were extracted, by a systematic review of 31 national and 20 international studies on cycling-based green transportation. Based on the findings, four macro infrastructure areas were obtained including technical-hardware, educational-promotional, online software and services, and legal aspects. Then the required goals and programs for each area were identified and described. The next step was to focus on Milan C Area by a case study approach. The data obtained from the field observations was analyzed using the semiotic method derived from the map-based platforms. Attempts were made to determine the reasons for Milan Municipality's success in expanding and promoting cycling, by focusing on the details and applying the general propositions of theoretical foundations to field realities. The results of the research were presented in the form of a conceptual model to clarify the findings. The present study provides a picture of the eco-oriented approach achievable for urban transport management that has been successful in practice and can be significant for many metropolitan areas that are at the beginning of changing urban management and planning approaches to eco-base paradigms. Finally, practical suggestions were presented for the four groups of stakeholders including policymakers, education executives, researchers, and, ultimately, the general public, in line with their rights and responsibilities, with a synergistic approach.