Creating Liveable Cities

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PRESENTATION

Three out of four EU citizens currently call a city home. Every day, many of them face congestion, noise and pollution while travelling to and from work, school and social activities. These factors generate stress and adverse health effects, while also contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

Achieving sustainable urban mobility should therefore be a priority. Creating liveable cities, where car commuting is the exception and a combination of public transport, carpooling, biking and walking is the rule, is essential if we are to safeguard the health of EU citizens and deal with climate change.

During the seminar, successes and pitfalls in developing clean mobility patterns will be discussed, with examples from several European cities. We will also address the challenges ahead, exploring strategies and policies that can contribute to achieving sustainable urban mobility throughout Europe.

DRAFT PROGRAMME

Speakers: Pascal SMET (Brussels Minister of Mobility and Public Works), Klaus BONDAM (Director of the Danish Cyclist Federation), Jonas ERIKSSON (Project Manager, Stockholm City Council), Stuart COLE (Emeritus Professor of Transport, University of South Wales)

MEPs (moderators): Jakop DALUNDE, Jill EVANS

09:00–09:10 | Jakop Dalunde and Jill Evans – Opening remarks.

09:10–09:30 | Pascal Smet – The Brussels experience. Mobility challenges and opportunities in the bustling Brussels-Capital Region.

09:30–09:50 | Klaus Bondam – The Danish cycling revolution. How do you inspire people to park the car and start cycling? Best practices from Denmark.

09:50–10:10 | Jonas Eriksson – Sustainability by Nordic design. From congestion charges to archipelago ferry services – how is Stockholm encouraging sustainable urban mobility?

10:10–10:30 | Prof. Stuart Cole – The view from academia. What are the best methods for encouraging the adoption of clean mobility patterns? Perspectives from academia.

10:30–11:00 | Coffee break.

11:00–11:15 | Audience discussion. Reflections on the speakers’ presentations. What are the core issues for achieving sustainable urban mobility, and how can we tackle them?

11:15–12:00 | Plenary discussion. Discussion among the panellists and with the audience. Identifying obstacles and outlining solutions. What lessons can we draw from Brussels, Stockholm and Denmark?

12:00–12:25 | The way forward. Concluding discussion among the panellists. Where do we go from here? What policies can be implemented at national and European level? How can non-state actors contribute to this development?

12:25–12:30 | Jakop Dalunde and Jill Evans – Concluding remarks.