Mete Coban, London's Deputy Mayor for Environment, is 33 years old and has a personal goal: learning to swim to overcome his fear of water. His phobia, which affects around 700,000 Londoners, began after a bad school experience when he slid down an adult slide and was rescued from a pool nearly two meters deep. Now, from his public position, he seeks to set an example and normalize this challenge.
Fear of water as a barrier to urban development 🌊
In a city with over 40 km of riverfront and multiple canals, the fear of water is not just a personal problem, but an obstacle to sustainable development. Coban, responsible for environmental policies, is well aware of the risks of flooding and the need for safe aquatic spaces. His initiative could boost municipal adult swimming programs, integrating public health and climate adaptation. Technology, such as depth sensors and automated rescue systems in public pools, could be key to reducing accidents and fostering confidence.
Adult slide, the villain of Coban's childhood 🛝
That a future deputy mayor has a pool slide as his nemesis is, to say the least, ironic. We imagine Coban confronting his trauma: first, a duck-shaped float; then, lessons with instructors who use whistles. Next, he will pass a law banning slides over one meter in London. Or, better yet, require all public officials to pass a swimming test before managing budgets for water infrastructure. Just in case, he should stay away from water parks.