Lisbon is Europe’s Smartest City. Voted Europe’s Green Capital in 2022, the city of Lisbon is the perfect example of how investing in sustainable and ecological methods of transport pays off.

Elected a “Smart City” by the European Union alongside the cities of London and Milan, Lisbon has charted a determined course towards becoming a more competitive, innovative, sustainable and creative city.

The recent signing of the New Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, which established the goal of reducing GHG emissions by 60% by 2030 in major cities, means that around the world an increase in energy efficiency has gone from a “nice to have” to a “must have”, not least so that city mayors can improve the quality of life of their inhabitants.

Lisbon, the city of the seven hills, offers a range of sustainable transport methods that allow those who enter its borders to move around easily. By foot, bicycle, electric scooter, public transport or shared vehicles, the city’s range of possibilities is gradually growing, within a global framework of sustainable development.

More than 400,000 people enter Lisbon every day, from the various suburbs surrounding the city. The creation of a single monthly fare pass, set at €30 in Lisbon and €40 in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, is an excellent new initiative that has simplified and reduced fares, leading in turn to a 30% increase in demand.

In 2019, there were already 17 different transport operators in the city of Lisbon, responsible for around  30,000 daily trips made by about 400,000 commuters. Driven by State initiatives which encourage sustainable mobility, private companies are now incentivised to create suitable complementary mobility services using  new technologies which successfully combine data connection with shared vehicles.

A Smart City can attract more residents, increase their quality of life, bring in investors, and offer new residential models that are in line with current demographic trends.  All this culminates in an increase in the quality of life of city residents through the application of energy efficiency, mobility and social cohesion measures.

Key numbers

– 69% Of trips in Lisbon are less than 5 km. One third are made by car.
– 30% Of the journeys in Lisbon are on foot or by bicycle.
– 138% Increase in bicycle use in Lisbon from 2017 to 2020