Skopje’s pedestrians call out cars and cafes for dangerously invading their #PublicSpace · Global Voices
A collage of the most tweeted photos from the hashtag #ЈавенПростор on Twitter.
With lack of parking space a big issue in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, drivers are frequently encroaching on public space meant for pedestrians, forcing those on foot to take a more dangerous path on the road.
The issue isn't new and seems to have only been getting worse. Drivers have been treating crosswalks, parks, sidewalks, private garage entrances, and playgrounds — anywhere a person can walk — as their own parking lots. Bars and restaurants have also taken over part or all of the sidewalk to create terraces and increase profits.
Their choice can block the way and force people, including more vulnerable populations like mothers with baby carriages or those with disabilities, to walk in the street alongside traffic.
City authorities have largely turned a blind eye to the problem or, on several occasions, reacted only after an accident in which pedestrians were killed by vehicles caused public outcry.
A Twitter user under the name @baljumbaljum created the hashtag #ЈавенПростор (#PublicSpace) to raise awareness around the issue plaguaging citizens of the capital.
Отварам хаштаг #ЈавенПростор и оставам фотографиите да зборуваат сами за себе. Пинг @CityofSkopje pic.twitter.com/TNOyUCPQfk
— 100Le (@baljumbaljum) April 16, 2018
I'm opening #PublicSpace hashtag and I'm letting the photos speak for themselves.
Twitter users were quick to contribute to the hashtag, and online media have begun to pay attention too.
NGOs such as Skopje Smog alarm also joined in. 739
When asked why they are participating if their core work relates to air pollution, they responded that cars contribute about 20% of air pollution.
#ЈавенПростор #Железничка pic.twitter.com/ImvEoyNtKQ
— Skopje Smog Alarm (@SkopjeSmogAlarm) April 18, 2018
#PublicSpace [next to the] #RailwayStation
The reaction has also lead to an online petition titled “Stop parking on the sidewalk” which to date has collected 7,188 signatures. The goal is to force city authorities to stop the practice of parking on walkways.
Some of the examples of tweets using the hashtag include a monument that isn't paid any respect:
#јавенпростор кисела вода pic.twitter.com/iTh75K8uKr
— Les meraques (@LeCaffeine) April 18, 2018
#PublicSpace [in the municipality of] Kisela Voda.
A senior citizen struggling to use the walkway taken up by parked vehicles:
#ЈавенПростор, Никола Парапунов, Карпош 4 pic.twitter.com/YqyMRVVX5N
— <PERSON> (@nidragica) April 17, 2018
#PublicSpace Nikola Parapunov Street, Karpoš 4 [a district of a municipality in Skopje]
A restaurant that has staked claim on part of the street:
#ЈавенПростор pic.twitter.com/12y6Sm7hzU
— 100Le (@baljumbaljum) April 16, 2018
#PublicSpace
And police who are part of the problem:
Нема доволно полицајци за да пишуваат казни за паркирање на тротоар. Сите се зафатени. pic.twitter. 463