Writing Task: Proposal (C 1)

 Student: Mario Rodríguez Pantoja
 Group: F


Proposal to improve urban mobility

Introduction

The aim of this proposal is to submit some initiatives developed by the homeowners association of our building, in order to enhance crucial aspects related to urban mobility in our area. Although in recent years, the Palma City Hall has been affected by the economic downturn and continuous budget cuts, local authorities cannot ignore the state of deterioration of roads, as well as other aspects concerning people’s mobility.

Streets and sidewalks

The streets in our neighbourhood are in bad repair. All community members are concerned about the existence of potholes in many sidewalks. Lamentably, it is common to find lengths of pavements with loose or broken tiles, which affects particularly children, disabled and elderly people. In addition to this, some nearby abandoned buildings have balconies and overhangs in risk of collapse, whereupon it is dangerous to walk near them.

Small businesses and public space

Some grocery stores use public spaces without paying fees for it. In other words, they do not rent zones for loading and unloading operations, so double-parking occurs every time a delivery van arrives, which besides obstructing traffic lanes, prevents other vehicles from departing. The same applies to certain fruit shops recently opened. These latter ones occupy part of the sidewalks with counters or plastic boxes that block passage to pedestrians.

Recommendations

In light of the above, we believe that some corrective measures should be taken. Firstly, budgetary allocations must be increased in order to guarantee proper maintenance of sidewalks and roads. Secondly, compulsory purchase orders on derelict properties should be imposed with a view to demolish the buildings and reconstruct them. Finally, it would be advisable to demand small shop owners to pay for the public space they use to load and unload merchandises, and with regard to the fruit shops, the obligation to remove counters and boxes from the sidewalks.