Urban Mobility: Let’s Free the Capital | La Presse de Tunisie

By ordering the reopening of Bourguiba Avenue to traffic, coinciding with the celebration of Independence Day, the Head of State has given new hope to those who want to reclaim their capital city.

Tunisians must reclaim all their rights in this beautiful city. To do this, many things need to return to their original functions. At the end of the past year, good work was done with the campaign against the anarchic stalls that had invaded all the main streets and busiest public places. The results so far are not bad. But we must stand firm and not give up despite the numerous attempts by some individuals who exploit any laxity in vigilance. And above all, not yield an inch of ground to illegal vendors.

This scourge that has spread rapidly during the current decade has greatly disfigured the landscape and harmed the urban aesthetics and various legal activities, whether commercial, cultural, or recreational. It is known that within a few dozen meters there are schools, a theater, administrative buildings, etc. What everyone hopes for is that these distressing sights that have been observed for too long will disappear forever and that the nightmarish page will be turned forever. This is precisely what we also wish for all the other cities in the country that still suffer from this scourge.

Restore the metro stations

However, this should not make us forget other equally important aspects. The dismantling of the barriers that closed the passage at the level of the Ministry of the Interior, ordered by the Head of State, was seen as a liberation of the capital city. The closure of this main thoroughfare was poorly received by all residents and Tunisians as a whole. The act itself should be considered a symbol and the beginning of a broader action. First, there are the two metro stations that were closed: the first is located on Habib Thameur Avenue at the level of the Mahmoud Messaâdi Cultural Center, and the second, on the Paris Avenue side, at the level of the French Institute. These two stations were closed for reasons that were not explained to users or the general public. In any case, there is no longer any reason to continue to ignore these stops. They are useful for those entering or leaving the capital, especially since they are strategically located. Transtu has always turned a deaf ear to this issue. However, metro users are numerous in requesting the restoration of these two stations. We have been repeating this request for over 6 years. One of the excuses given, to our knowledge, is the fire at the Rue de Rome station and the squatting by anarchic vendors at the Habib Thameur Station. Today, there are no more excuses. It is therefore imperative for Transtu to comply with the wishes of the users without further delay. Authorities are increasingly aware of the population’s needs.

Let’s put an end to these barriers!

Furthermore, it is worth noting the spectacle of barbed wire and concrete blocks around the French diplomatic representation. It is located in the heart of the city and facing the cathedral. Its perimeter is quite inconvenient for passersby, visitors, or tourists. It is “fortified” on the main avenue side and the Grand Place, on the Jamel Abdennasser Street side (formerly Sadikia Street), on the Holland Street and Radhia Haddad Street side (formerly Yugoslavia Street). This place would benefit from being rid of these obstacles. Because it has gone on for too long. Tunisians should not have to endure these inconveniences. This monument could be used for activities that do not require exceptional security measures. Other activities can be transferred to the Lac area where visa procedures have been relocated to the TLS center and where another embassy headquarters is already located.

There is also the road in front of the US embassy. The situation there also poses a problem for all those who used the road nearby. Being closed for a long time, they are forced to take a long detour to go to or from the northern suburbs. Certainly, we understand the need for maximum security after the assault on this embassy in September 2012 and the attack in March 2020. Nevertheless, other, more flexible and context-appropriate measures can be taken. Our confidence in the security apparatus should not be underestimated.

Indeed, it seems that the time has come for another solution to be adopted. It is true that Tunisians would like to feel at home and not encounter any obstacles that limit their freedom of movement.