4th European Conference on Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans

On 29-30 March 2017, nearly 400 participants from the fields of transport planning and development, research and politics gathered in Dubrovnik for the 4th European Conference on Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans to discuss new planning approaches and strategies, and to share ideas, solutions and success stories. The conference took place on 29-30 March 2017 in Dubrovnik, Croatia under the theme of 'Intelligent Planning for Sustainable Mobility.'

The development of cities and associated population growth, congestion and pollution have placed sustainable urban mobility high on the agenda. More sustainable, intelligent and integrated planning processes are widely recognised as a way of dealing with these challenges along with identifying an appropriate set of policies. Quality of life for citizens is of special importance to most cities. This is defined by the environment, living conditions and the economic situation but also by a supportive environment for individual mobility choices. Intelligent planning for sustainable mobility puts people first!

This main theme of the conference was addressed by experts in interactive sessions centred around four key topics: ‘The big picture’, ‘Making the SUMP framework more effective’, ‘The integration and innovation challenge’ and ‘Planning techniques’. New aspects such as embedding the idea of Smart City in the SUMP approach, or tackling mobility challenges in touristic areas were explored.

The conference was a fruitful experience for all participants, whether they came from the public or private sector. In order to facilitate a diverse knowledge-exchange experience, the conference offered different session formats and types of interaction: three plenary sessions, 12 presentation sessions with more than 35 presentations, four challenge sessions, and a Market Place for EU-funded projects and initiatives helped to gather ideas, share visions, exchange knowledge and encourage further cooperation. Seven site visits provided a unique possibility to get to know one of the most famous and best preserved historic towns in Europe - surrounded by a wall, but open in mind.

HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY MESSAGES

'We need road design that would enforce the speed limits, car-free zones to improve air quality and roundabouts to slow down traffic.'

(Luana Bidasca, European Transport Safety Council)

'Persons with disabilities have the right to accessibility of transport on an equal basis with others and this also benefits our society as a whole.'

(Marie Denninghaus, European Disability Forum)

'51% of all urban motorised trips related to the transport of goods could be shifted to bikes, cargo-bikes or bike trailers – this has the potential to change the face of our cities and improve our quality of life.'

(Karl Reiter, Austrian Mobility Research FGM-AMOR)

RESOURCES FROM THE CONFERENCE

• Conference Programme
• Presentations, Session Summaries and Key Messages
• Pictures from the conference (The SUMP Conference Secretariat has obtained permission from the photographer for the use of the photos. The copies are free of charge to use with attribution of '4th SUMP Conference 2017  - ©CIVITAS PROSPERITY')

FURTHER INFORMATION

Should you have any enquiries related to the 4th European Conference on Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans, then please contact the SUMP Conference Secretariat at SUMPConferencemobiel21 [dot] be (SUMPConference[at]mobiel21[dot]be)

The conference was organised by CIVITAS PROSPERITY, a member of the European Platform on Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans.