Criteria Greenways
Central and Eastern European Greenways (CEG)
Content:
A. Definition of Central and Eastern European Greenways (CEG)
B. Main Types of Greenways
i. Long-distance Greenways
ii. Local and regional Greenways
iii. Urban Greenways
C. Principles for Greenway Development
D. Criteria for each Type of Greenway
A. Definition of Greenways in Central and Eastern Europe /CEG/:
Greenways are multifunctional trails developed along linear green
corridors, historic trade routes, rivers and disused railways designed for
non-motorized users.
Greenways:
• are managed by local communities;
• encourage sustainable development and provide a positive contribution to the
local economy
• promote and enable healthy and low environmental impact lifestyles;
• provide a framework for community-based initiatives;
• promote nature conservation, cultural heritage preservation, sustainable
tourism and mobility;
• address needs of locals and visitors.
B. Main Types of Greenways
There are 3 major types of Greenways in Central and Eastern Europe:
1. Long-distance Greenways connect distant places in the form of a linear
trail or networks of trails. They are backbone trails in tourist corridors of distances of 50 km or more. The main purpose of long-distance Greenways is to improve connections between and accessibility of cities and the countryside, improve safety for users and increase the attractiveness of infrastructure enabling development of sustainable tourism. These Greenways are used as transport connections for people living nearby as well as serve as a backbone of a tourist corridor. This corridor is used for further development of local and regional tourist products and projects respecting the principles of sustainable development and heritage protection.
2. Local and regional Greenways are linear trails or loop trails typically developed in rural areas. They are usually between 10 to 50 km long. The main purpose of such Greenways is increasing safety for users and improving connections within and access to the countryside. These Greenways are generally used for one-day or weekend recreation and tourism, as green spaces and recreational zones. They link natural parks, recreational sites and sports facilities. They enable the local citizens to get involved in projects and activities aiming at local heritage interpretation and maintenance or improvement of public spaces.
3. Urban Greenways are multifunctional trails for cyclists, pedestrians, in-line skaters, wheelchair users and other users built along natural or man-made linear corridors in urban areas. The main purpose of urban Greenways is safe mobility for users. These trails should be fully integrated into local systems of public transport. They are mainly used by residents and visitors of cities for every day transport, shopping or as safe routes to schools. They can also serve recreational and tourist purposes. They represent backbone of green corridors or routes leading from cities into the countryside.
C. Principles of Greenways development in Central and Eastern Europe
These principles outline the basic steps and rules – throughout the planning, development and implementation phases of Greenways – for achieving the objectives formulated in the Greenway definition.
1. A Greenway is a signposted trail or route (in the field as well as on maps) characterized by a name containing the word “Greenway” (in English or the equivalent in the appropriate local language), an over-reaching theme and, where appropriate, a logo.
2. Planned Greenways respect and effectively supplement Master Plans for development of a given area, transport and tourism strategies at all levels. Such Greenways are part of the transport policy pans of cities and regions and main elements of master plans for cycling and pedestrian transport.
3. Each individual Greenway is continuously managed by a leading coordinator (trail manager, organization, institution, municipality). The main objectives of a Greenway coordinator include encouraging the wider partnership of stakeholders along the trail, maintenance and further development of the Greenway including signposting and amenities.
4. A Greenway meets satisfactory safety criteria for cyclists and pedestrians (where possible trails separate from road traffic or using marked routes on lightly trafficked country roads, minimum width, safety measures at intersections).
5. A Greenway is part of existing or planned public transport systems; it supports inter-modality of various transport systems.
6. A Greenway is a physically signposted trail and where possible furnished with more detailed information in the form of maps, interpretative panels, information panels, etc… and amenities such as picnic areas, bike racks, fitness elements, etc….
7. Information about a Greenway is disseminated by all partners in the form of maps, leaflets, tourist guides and specialized brochures in printed and electronic formats.
8. All activities aiming at Greenway development are in accordance with principles of sustainable development1 and natural and heritage protection.
D. Criteria for various types of Greenways in Central and Eastern Europe /CEG/:
The following criteria represent the minimal requirements for infrastructure and function of Greenways
1. Long-distance Greenways
Infrastructural criteria:
a) A Greenway is developed on safe routes and trails (shared trails for cyclists and pedestrians, paved forestry roads, former paved military roads or abandoned railways, service roads etc.) or quiet roads with low traffic
b) at least 90% of a Greenway has a hard, paved surface allowing users to ride in any season
c) A Greenway links natural and cultural attractions, places of interest/tourist attractions (places of natural, cultural, historical or social value) at least every 15 km;
d) there are resting points along the Greenway approximately every 20 km;
e) there are sites with necessary tourist infrastructure, mainly accommodation and catering, at least every 30 km
f) printed information about a Greenway (leaflets, brochures, guidebooks, maps, etc.) is available at information centers and other places in neighboring regions
Functional criteria:
a) Long-distance Greenways connect projects of local people and organizations and offer the possibility to see/visit/get to know the main content and objective fulfilling main mission of such a trail
b) Greenway leads through the centers of villages or cities/towns, or these centers are easily accessible from the Greenway by a signposted branch/detour;
c) there is at least 1 info panel in each village/city or tourist attraction that the Greenway passes through, proving information about the site and the trail itself;
d) tourism products or packages for all users (cyclists, hikers, horseback riders or canoeists) are available for organized tourists offered by local/regional tour operator in coordination with the Greenway manager.
e) there is at least 1 distribution point of local products (shop, workshop, gallery, etc.);
f) there is at least 1 catering establishment offering local cuisine (meals or drinks) available along the Greenway;
2. Local and Regional Greenways
Basic Requirements
2.A Local Greenways
a) Local Greenways meet necessary safety requirements for local users for trips to work, school or for recreation (where possible trails separate from road traffic or using marked routes on lightly trafficked country roads, safety measures at intersections).
b) They are located on separate trails or bicycle lanes on roads
c) Based on the needs the main of users, there is an appropriate surface – paved, smooth surface for in-line skaters, natural surface for hikers enabling year round use
d) There is at least 1 (if the Greenway is loop) or 2 (if the Greenway is linear) info panel/s informing users about the route.
e) There is at least 1 rest and/or fitness point along a local Greenway.
f) Local Greenways connect to long-distance or other local trails and if possible pass through the centers of villages or cities/towns.
g) Starting or other access points are can be easily reached by public transport.
2.B Regional Greenways
a) A Regional Greenway in towns and villages fulfills necessary safety requirements of a local Greenway and allows safe transport for all users between municipalities or districts ((where possible trails separate from road traffic or using marked routes on lightly trafficked country roads, minimum width, safety measures at intersections).
b) It is developed as much as possible on separate trails, designated roads or lanes enabling year round use.
c) The trail is equipped with an information system and amenities based on its transport importance, length and mission.
3. Urban Greenways
Basic Requirements
a. Urban Greenways meet necessary safety requirements and they are fully integrated into city transport systems and possibly its surroundings. (where possible trails separate from road traffic, minimum width, safety measures at intersections).
b) They are developed as much as possible on separate trails, designated roads or lanes enabling all year round use.
c) They connect (year round) attractive sites for local people on their way to work, school, shopping, recreation and sports. Main attractions connected by such Greenways are significant in the trail mission e.g. safe route to school or fitness trail along a river etc.
d) The surface of such multi-purpose trails must meet needs for all users year round, in designated areas also for people in wheelchairs. The type of surface can be varied based on main users’ needs.
e) The trail is equipped with an information system and amenities based on its transport importance, length and mission.
CEG DECLARATION
“Greenways – Corridors for Sustainable Development”
Coordinators and partners cooperating within the Central and Eastern European Greenways (CEG) have agreed on the following declaration on common goals and definitions:
CEG is a model regional program being developed under the umbrella of the Environmental Partnership for Sustainable Development (EPSD). This international association of foundations in Bulgaria, Czech Republic Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia is focusing on mobilizing and empowering the people of the region to improve their environment, their local communities and societies. EPSD is leading a regional program creating a network of greenways in CEE and linking them with other European and Transatlantic initiatives.
With assistance of these foundations the CEG program is also expanding to South/Eastern European countries such as Serbia and Croatia, Belarus, Ukraine. The CEG program is also active in Austria and Germany.
Vision:
Make Greenways a well know and widely applied tool for sustainable community development in Central and Eastern Europe.
Mission:
The mission of CEG is to create and promote trails and corridors for sustainable development called Greenways in the countries and regions of Central and Eastern Europe and to link them to wider European networks.
Definition of Greenways in CEE
Greenways are multifunctional trails for non-motorized users connecting communities, local initiatives, natural and cultural heritage sites, promoting a healthy environment and lifestyles. Greenways:
• are initiated, developed and managed by local communities;
• encourage sustainable development and provide a positive contribution to the local economy
• promote and enable low environmental impact lifestyles;
• provide a framework for community-based initiatives;
• promote nature conservation, cultural heritage preservation, sustainable tourism and mobility;
• integrate sustainable transport solutions and improve safety for users
• address needs of locals and visitors.
Goals and principles of CEG
CEG program provides local communities with inspiration and assistance (financial and technical) in their efforts to preserve the uniqueness of the places they live as well as to achieve harmony between protection and exploitation of local resources. The CEG program is an initiative to create an open network between civic, public sector, business, and governmental organizations that can provide complex and diverse support for efforts of local people to build and revitalize for public benefit trails and natural corridors called Greenways in the countries and regions of Central and Eastern Europe.
Program objectives:
• Development and strengthening of individual Greenway initiatives
• Setting and implementing Greenways standards (Greenway criteria)
• Developing a recognizable brand as the guarantee of quality
• Expansion of Greenways to other countries of the region
• Promoting Greenways nationally and internationally
• Assessing and monitoring economic and environmental impact of Greenways
• Advocacy for Greenways on national/regional level
• Develop and support Greenway projects that integrate solutions to preserving cultural heritage, environmental improvement, fostering sustainable development and improving quality of life in urban and rural areas;
• Create a network of cooperation between institutions that can provide organizational, technical and financial support to projects and initiatives that share the Greenways philosophy.
• Promote safe and intermodal transport
Program activities:
• Route mapping of existing and potential Greenways
• Promotion of Greenways, creation of Greenways materials
• Initiating and influencing Master Plans related to non-motorized transport
• Signposting, maintenance and management of Greenways
• Implementation of certification schemes (Bicyclists Welcome!, Clean Tourism, Ecotourism certification for guesthouses)
• Promoting sustainable transport solutions including traffic calming, safe routes to schools, velo-taxis and automated bicycle rental schemes
• Creation of heritage-tourism packages, sustainable, low impact tourism
• Promoting social enterprises, local products and traditions along Greenways
• Tree planting and public spaces development/regeneration
• Developing rails to trails and historic railways projects
• Organization of activities along Greenways (Earth Day (April 22nd), Week of Cycletourism (first week of June) and International Trail Day (first Saturday of June),
European Mobility Week (September 16-22) and European Greenways Day)
Long – term goals:
• develop and support Greenway projects that integrate solutions to a number of problems connected with preserving cultural heritage, environmental improvement, fostering sustainable development and improving quality of life in urban and rural areas;
• create a network of institutions that can provide organizational, technical and financial support to projects and initiatives that share the Greenway philosophy.
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