Sustainable Mobility in Tampere: SUMP Implementation for Carbon Neutrality
About this good practice
The Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) in Tampere, approved in 2021, focuses on transforming the city's transport system to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. The plan emphasizes reducing car dependency by promoting public transport, cycling, and walking, aiming for 69% of trips to be covered by these modes. SUMP also aims to strengthen connections between urban centers and surrounding neighborhoods through targeted initiatives. Key strategies include expanding the tramline and cycling network, enhancing connectivity, and promoting multimodal travel options. The tramway serves as the backbone of the city's public transport, linking the center with peripheral areas. To increase connections, specific measures such as feeder traffic and park-and-ride facilities have been implemented, making travel chains more fluent and improving overall accessibility. The plan was developed through extensive stakeholder engagement, including input from residents, local government, and community organizations. SUMP aligns with Tampere's broader strategic goals of sustainable urban growth and environmental responsibility, as outlined in the Carbon Neutral Tampere 2030 roadmap. It also incorporates measures for ensuring equal access to mobility for all residents, addressing environmental impacts, and enhancing the overall quality of urban life. Continuous monitoring and adaptation ensure the plan remains responsive to evolving needs and challenges.
Resources needed
Expanding the tramline costs about €5 million per kilometer and cycling infrastructure needs about €1 million per kilometer. Public engagement, including discounts for public transport and awareness campaigns, need about €2 million. Since 2021, over €50 million has been allocated for these projects.
Evidence of success
Public transport usage increased from 49 million trips in 2019 to 55 million in 2023, demonstrating the effectiveness of SUMP measures. Despite the 2020-2022 pandemic, the tramline and cycling initiatives contributed to a rebound in sustainable transport use, with a 12% increase in public transport ridership by 2023. The modal split has improved, with more residents choosing sustainable transport options, supporting progress towards the 2030 carbon-neutrality goal.
Potential for learning or transfer
Tampere's SUMP offers valuable lessons in integrating public transport with urban planning to reduce carbon emissions. The emphasis on stakeholder engagement ensured broad support and addressed diverse mobility needs, making the plan adaptable to other cities. The use of a tramway as a backbone for sustainable transport and the promotion of cycling and walking can serve as a model for similar-sized cities aiming for carbon neutrality. Tampere's approach to monitoring and flexibility in updating the plan ensures it remains relevant, providing a framework that other municipalities can adopt for continuous improvement. The focus on equity in mobility ensures that all residents benefit from sustainable transport developments, making this a key aspect for transferability.