PLUS Network city Colima, Mexico, hosted its First Urban Forum in February 2009 on mobility and transportation. The objective was to highlight the importance of space and land-use planning in supporting various forms of transportation. Bringing together examples of international, national and local experiences in transportation strategies based on principles of urban sustainability would also serve to increase awareness of the new perspectives needed to transform our transportation systems to achieve sustainable urban mobility.

The forum was attended by over 180 participants from federal, state and municipal government, and 45 students enrolled in the University of Colima's mobility diploma program and their professors.

Gisela Mendez of Colima

Chihuahua and San Jose delegates

Presenters included the other PLUS Network Latin American cities:

• Curitiba, Brazil, which has become a model of creating an integrated urban transportation system.

• San Jose, Costa Rica, outlining its international award-winning proposal for an 'accessible city.'

• Chihuahua, Mexico, describing the implementation of its Con Sentido Mobility Plan.

Participants also heard from the city of Guadalajara which is exploring local opportunities for transforming its mobility systems.

The State of Coliima Federation of Transport was a partner in the organization of the Forum. This was the first meeting between state transportation officials and municipal officials working in urban transportation, reflecting the growing recognition of the importance of regional and national policies and collaborations. The federal officials presented the vision of the federal government for sustainable transportation in cities and outlined financing opportunities for promoting sustainable transportation.

The Forum was the starting point for the development of Colima's Strategic Agenda of Mobility and Transportation. The meeting concluded with a commitment to work jointly on the creation of the plan, and to develop terms of reference with the participation of the five cities at the forum.

The City of Colima used the model of PLUS Network peer exchanges for this forum.

See Flickr for a photo gallery of the event.