Sustainable urban mobility is an issue of increasing importance in cities around the world. With a steadily growing urban population intra-urban mobility needs are on the rise, resulting in a continuous increase in the number of cars moving around in city streets. Our still very much car-oriented cities struggle to cope with this mobility pressure – and its various negative consequences. Car-oriented urban transport systems lead to various negative environmental impacts, health problems, and scarcity of quality public spaces in cities. Recognizing this problem cities around the world look for solutions enabling efficient and sustainable urban mobility. 

The Baseline Study is the first deliverable as part of “Establishing State of the Art” (Activity 3.1) under Work Package 3 (“Walkability Planning”).

To improve walkability and to facilitate smart integration of sustainable transport modes in urban areas, it is crucial to have a clear view on the current state of the art regarding the issue, including results of related scientific research, definitions of key terms, activities being done by various cities in this field across Europe as well as outside Europe, documented best practices. In addition, it is also important to understand and present how the development of sustainable urban mobility integrates with other policy areas in urban development. Finally, we also need to clearly identify the current state of affairs - policies, priorities, plans - in the cities represented in our partnership.

The Baseline Study plays a crucial role in this process. Its main purpose is to create a common understanding and level playing field among all the partners regarding the context and key issues related to walkability. Being one of the first deliverables, the Baseline Study will bring all partners involved in the project to the same level of initial knowledge and information at an early stage of project implementation. It also sets the scene for future readers not involved in the project.

In addition to the Baseline Study document, the key findings, conclusions is also be presented in other formats, more specifically, a presentation and a set of infographics (uploaded to the Library section). These tools then can be used for multiple purposes: partners can use them to present the findings to local stakeholders, and the partnership can also use these tools to support the dissemination process (presentations in conferences, blog articles), as well as to establish a solid foundation for presenting the policy proposals.

By reading the Baseline Study carefully, you will:

• have a good understanding of the concept of walkability;
• learn the most important negative consequences of dominantly car-oriented urban transport systems;
• understand the most important benefits of better walkability in our cities;
• know about the key issues, challenges related to developing walkability in urban areas;
• have an initial overview of the types of interventions that can contribute to improving walkability;
• learn basic facts about each-others’ cities and their walkability challenges, goals and plans.

The Baseline Study has been designed to be concise, easy to navigate and easy to understand for the partners, as well as for future readers. Download it here.