EU Urban Mobility Days: Moving people and goods in the direction of sustainability
How can walking, cycling and public transport help combat oil dependency? Are people willing to choose more cycling and walking, less car use and more public transport at the expense of their comfort and habits? How can harmonised urban mobility data improve the traffic flow? Why are Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans so important? And how to pay for it all? These are some of the questions being discussed in the context of Urban Mobility Days 2022 taking place from 20-22 September in Brno, Czech Republic.
More than 1000 transport professionals, policy makers and political representatives will come together this week to discuss ambitious climate targets and how to transform urban mobility within the framework of this year’s theme «Moving people and goods more sustainably».
Changing the habits of a lifetime across the whole continent of Europe calls for decisive action through political commitments, such as the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, as well as the engagement of citizens and young persons. As 2022 is the European Year of Youth, Urban Mobility Days puts the spotlight on young voices and views, as Europe debates the big questions of climate resilience and reducing dependency on oil following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
As the leading event on urban mobility in Europe, Urban Mobility Days, which takes place this year during European Mobility Week, also provides an opportunity to discuss the new EU Urban Mobility Framework adopted in December 2021.
Jointly organised by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, and the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU, Urban Mobility Days will take place as a hybrid event, with in-person attendance in Brno.
Adina Vălean, European Commissioner for Transport, who will be speaking at the opening ceremony of Urban Mobility Days, said: «Using more sustainable forms of mobility, such as public transport, cycling or walking, will not only make for more pleasant cities to live in, free of congestion and pollution, but also help us reduce the climate impact of transport. We are encouraging cities to put in place their own Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans, with concrete measures for achieving this. There are more than 1000 such plans in Europe, but there is room for many more, as more and more of our citizens are moving to our urban areas».
Martin Kupka, Minister of Transport of the Czech Republic: «I am delighted to be at Urban Mobility Days. This event will help us to understand the importance of achieving our sustainable mobility goals, and the urgency of this. Sustainable mobility is about connectivity, innovation, and inclusion – key principles which are important to us here in the Czech Republic, and why we are proud to hold the EU presidency this year. It is wonderful that we are all able to be here in person this year, Brno is a beautiful city- enjoy!»
«It is a great opportunity for Brno, following its involvement in two CIVITAS projects, to host Urban Mobility Days 2022 during the Czech presidency of the Council of the European Union. We are looking forward to welcoming participants to Brno and sharing our successful experience and know-how in the field of sustainable urban mobility with representatives of cities, European politicians and mobility experts», said Markéta Vaňková, Mayor of Brno.
The event will showcase research and innovation projects which have received funding from the European Commission. An award ceremony takes place tomorrow 20 September to reward towns and cities for their outstanding work in adapting to changing circumstances and fostering successful urban mobility solutions.
Communiqué par la Commission européenne