Promoting Active School Paths: A Project for Sustainable, Inclusive Communities

UPV/EHU
Jun 4
3 min read

Updated: Jun 13

Introduction

Since 2010, the Eskolabideak project, developed by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), has been promoting an innovative approach to active school routes across several municipalities in the Basque Country.

Eskolabideak encourages children to walk or cycle to school through safe, sustainable, and inclusive pathways, fostering stronger community ties and promoting environmental stewardship.

This initiative has proven to be a powerful tool for building community, supporting cultural integration, and advancing sustainability goals.

Eskolabideak: A Holistic Vision for Healthy Communities

Eskolabideak is part of a broader vision for healthy, sustainable, and inclusive urban living.

Its core idea is simple yet transformative: encourage children to walk or bike to school, reducing environmental impact, improving physical well-being, and strengthening social connections.

The project particularly supports families from migrant backgrounds, helping them integrate into local communities while fostering healthier lifestyles for both children and adults.

Inclusion at the Heart of the Project

Eskolabideak is built on the principles of inclusion.

It actively works to remove barriers that migrant or newly arrived families may face, such as:

Language challenges
Unfamiliarity with local areas
Safety concerns during commutes

The project adapts school routes to ensure they are safe, accessible, and welcoming for all children, boosting families’ confidence and encouraging their participation in community life.

How the School Routes Work

The project organizes children into walking or cycling groups along carefully designed routes, supervised by adult volunteers—including parents, teachers, and community members.

These “walking buses” or “bike trains”:

Follow predefined safe paths through neighborhoods.
Promote social interaction among children and families.
Build trust and familiarity with the local environment.

Importantly, community involvement is a cornerstone: parents and local actors play a direct role in the organization and supervision of these routes, ensuring the system reflects the needs of all families, including those from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

From a sustainability standpoint, Eskolabideak directly contributes to:

Reducing carbon emissions by minimizing car use.
Promoting greener neighborhoods by advocating for pedestrian-friendly and bike-friendly urban design.
Encouraging long-term behavioral change, embedding eco-friendly habits in the next generation.

The project helps cities become more sustainable while simultaneously promoting equity and inclusion in public spaces.

Community Participation and Intercultural Collaboration

Eskolabideak actively engages families, schools, and local communities in shaping the project.

Through workshops, consultation sessions, and informational events, the project:

Raises awareness of sustainable commuting.
Ensures that the needs of culturally diverse families are included in the planning.
Creates a sense of shared ownership of public spaces.

This participatory approach strengthens community bonds and ensures that school routes reflect the cultural richness of the neighborhoods they serve.

Benefits for Children’s Development

Beyond the environmental and social advantages, Eskolabideak fosters critical personal development skills in children:

Autonomy and independence
Spatial awareness
Decision-making and responsibility

By navigating safe routes independently, children gain confidence, resilience, and a deeper connection to their environment.

Conclusion

The Eskolabideak project demonstrates how urban planning can simultaneously promote sustainability and inclusivity.

By creating safe and welcoming school routes, it fosters:

Environmental stewardship
Physical and emotional well-being
Social and cultural integration

Eskolabideak is a shining example of how schools, families, and communities can collaborate to create stronger, healthier, and more inclusive societies.