Citizens of Arequipa enjoy walking freely through the Historic Center while breathing cleaner air. Photo by Sybil Settlemyre.

On November 20, the streets surrounding the nine zones of Arequipa's Historic Center were closed to vehicle traffic and made available to pedestrians and non-motorized transport. The objectives of Arequipa's non-motorized transport program are to reduce air pollution, promote physical activity and recover the city's public spaces.

“EMBARQ Andino has made possible that this program become a reality,” said Marcos Hinojosa, manager of urban transport and road circulation for the Provincial Municipality of Arequipa. "Everyone should be part of the change."

Jorge Jara, executive director of EMBARQ Andino, explained, "Like others have done in New York, Madrid and Mexico City, we should value Arequipa and reduce the contamination of the air that is eight times higher than the acceptable standard by the World Health Organization.”

The pedestrianization project is expected to reduce air pollution by up to 15 percent, depending on motor vehicle circulation, according to Zacarías Madariaga, responsible for the Area of Ecology and Environment of Arequipa's Regional Health Management.

To launch the program, EMBARQ Andino staff members and Congressman Dr. Gustavo Rondón Fudinaga went on a 2-kilometer walk through the streets of Arequipa, including San Francisco, General Morán, Moral, Bolívar-Sucre, Palacio Viejo, La Merced, Portal de la Municipalidad and Morán. They were joined by representatives of the Municipality of Arequipa, Arequipa's Regional Health Management, Arequipa's International Club and the Peruvian National Police.

Arequipa’s Regional Health Management installed stands along the pedestrianized area so that people could measure their blood pressure and learn about public health topics.

The program will continue every Sunday, when pedestrians will be able to circulate freely through the streets by foot or by any other means of non-motorized transport.