The concept of sharing roads and public spaces was officially launched in Baguio Friday afternoon following the opening of a portion of Session Road from Father Carlu loop to corner Assumption Road to pedestrians.

Residents and tourists shared stories while traversing the opened portion of the busiest road without hassle from speeding vehicles while speakers took time to promote and popularize the concept of public space and road sharing.

Some said that the portion of Session Road was not actually “closed” but was literally opened for the public to enjoy.

Prior to the events along Session Road, lawyer Antonio Oposa Jr. of the University of the Philippines School of Law and the UP School of Urban and Regional Planning in Diliman spoke on people-friendly Session Road before hundreds of students and professionals at the University of the Cordilleras.

Oposa is an environmentalist and a recipient of the 2009 Ramon Magsaysay award for environmental activism.

“This forum was conceptualized after a series of small group meetings aimed at promoting and popularizing the concept of public space and road sharing,” said Baguio urban planner Joseph Alabanza, one of the speakers during the event.

“They want to promote and popularize the concept of public space and road sharing where structures should be shared and not for exclusive use only by a small group but for the majority and for the common good,” he added.

Other speakers who took part in the program were Gloria Roces from Cebu, Belle Lim of Binondo, and Philip Camara of Subic.

“Some people from Manila showed interest and willingness on the current development efforts being carried out in one of the landmarks of Baguio City, particularly the Session Road,” Alabanza said.

“They want to promote and popularize the concept of public space and road sharing where structures should be shared and not for exclusive use only by a small group but for the majority and for the common good,” he added.

Others who joined were stakeholders from private institutions, the business sector, religious, and the government sector.

Pedestrianization of Session Road has long been a plan of city officials. It’s permanent implementation was stalled as closure clogs other major arteries in the city.