Policy instruments
Discover the policy instruments that the partners of this project are tackling.
A means for public intervention. It refers to any policy, strategy, or law developed by public authorities and applied on the ground to improve a specific territorial situation. In most cases, financial resources are associated with a policy instrument. However, an instrument can also sometimes refer to a legislative framework with no specific funding. In the context of Interreg Europe, operational programmes for Investment for Growth and Jobs as well as Cooperation Programmes from European Territorial Cooperation are policy instruments. Beyond EU cohesion policy, local, regional, or national public authorities also develop their own policy instruments.
RCM ROP 2021-2027 – submitted in October 2021 and currently under consideration by the EC for final approval - identifies 5 priorities. The fifth is 'Fostering the integrated and inclusive social, economic and environmental development, culture, natural heritage, sustainable tourism, and security in urban areas'. Promoting sustainable urban mobility, as part of transition to a net zero carbon economy, support the implementation of specific measures – in coherence with SUMPs (whenever provided for) or other relevant sector plans - effectively contributing to the transition to low-emission mobility in the region.
In particular, ROP priority 5 will focus on i) open green spaces accessible to the public (open space provides recreational areas for residents and helps to enhance the beauty and environmental quality of neighborhoods) ii) walking and cycling accessibility/connectivity in urban and greater areas (e.g., pedestrian areas and bike-lanes, “bike to work” and other soft mobility projects) iii) intelligent mobility systems (e.g. MAAS – Mobility as a Service – solutions, to be provided at regional level to encourage modal interchange and the use of urban public transport through user-centred services based on digital technologies) iv) electric vehicles charging stations, to achieve the appropriate coverage of the regional network.
Partners working on this policy instrument
The Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for City of Poznan is a document, which clarifies the assumptions of the Transport Mobility Policy of the City of Poznań and indicates concrete measures to be implemented. The Plan comprehensively covers issues related to urban mobility, as well as some spatial planning issues, such as the location of housing estates, environmental protection and social aspects. The city's vision is become a metropolitan centre that enables safe, efficient and sustainable mobility for all residents, in a way that limits harmful impact on the environment. The document is divided into six key priority areas:
1. Safety and traffic management
2. Pedestrian and cycling traffic
3. Environment and space
4. Public transport
5. Automobile transport
6. Modern technologies
The priority area to focus on is area 5 - Automobile transport. This includes freight distribution and vehicle and parking issues. Focus will be placed on measures to support clean last mile delivery, reduce entrance of emission-intensive vehicles in the city centre and promote alternative means of transport (behavioural change, which will impact other priority areas as well).
Additionally, the SUMP for the City of Poznan adopted a package of priority investments and tasks. The list includes investments concerning road interchanges, construction of new tram routes, infrastructure renovations or implementation of sectoral programmes.
Partners working on this policy instrument
The ROP 2021-2027 is the programming document that defines the strategy and interventions for using the resources assigned to the RER by the ERDF, in the framework of the cohesion policy. It is defined in strict coherence with the main European and national strategies which identify the ecological and digital transition as the two pillars of the economic and social development of the territories. In line with the broader regional policy framework (Regional Integrated Air Plan, Regional Integrated Transport Plan, Regional Energy Plan, Programme for Sustainable Mobility 2022-2025, Pact for Work and Climate), the ROP 2021-2027 identifies 4 priorities. A total budget of 40 million euro has been allocated to priority 3 (Sustainable mobility and air quality), which envisages interventions in the following areas: cycling paths, “soft” mobility projects and cycle-pedestrian mobility; smart mobility systems; infrastructures for electric vehicles. This priority targets specific objective 2.8 Promoting sustainable multimodal urban mobility, as part of transition to a net zero carbon economy. With reference to smart mobility systems, the ROP will support initiatives aimed at ensuring flexible, integrated mobility solutions tailored to citizens' needs. In particular, support of solutions that promote interchange hubs and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for real-time user information and services through digital technologies (contactless, NFC, web payment, QR code, etc.).
Partners working on this policy instrument
The Climate Action Plan (CAP) is a key policy instrument which, for example, specifies critical measures that facilitate implementation of the City’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP). The CAP and SUMP acknowledge trends and developments in the mobility and transport sector over the past decade (i.e., electrification, digitalisation, automated vehicles, new mobility services and sharing economy) that can make transport of people and goods smarter and more sustainable. It has a strong focus on walking, cycling, public transport, and efficient city logistics and four planning pillars: Capacity, Accessibility, Attractiveness and Sustainability.
While the SUMP describes the main directions and principles for sustainable urban mobility, actions and measures for sustainable transport are concretised in the CAP (currently being updated). The transport system is recognised as a key component in the City’s environment and climate action. The overarching goals are that Stockholm must become climate positive by 2030 and fossil fuel free by 2040. By 2030 greenhouse gas from transport have to be reduced by 70 percent compared to 2010 and use of cars be reduced by 30% compared to 2017. Three tools – electrification, renewable fuels and transport efficiency – together with national policy instruments are the core tools to reach this goal. The CAP is linked to the City’s climate budget and climate investment plan, against which all actions are measured on an annual basis.
Partners working on this policy instrument
Vilnius SUMP was approved by the City Council in December 2018. It is a tool for strategic planning which links the territorial development of the metropolitan area with the needs of mobility and transport of people and goods. This planning document focuses on the promotion of sustainable modes of transport and is more than a Policy Instrument. It represents a new attitude of PT system, new travelling solutions with emphasis on the use of non-motorized transport. It introduces multimodality conception, an integrated set of technical, infrastructure, policy based, and soft mobility management measures to improve performance and cost effectiveness including various means of transport and tools: PT, walking and cycling, intermodality, safety, urban logistics, traffic management, etc. For effectiveness, the SUMP is expected to be based on citizen needs and implemented in close cooperation with the community and various stakeholders.
Partners working on this policy instrument
Sint-Niklaas SUMP aims to improve traffic safety and quality by focusing on four areas:
1. the bicycle as primary use of transport;
2. strong public transport;
3. thorough circulation;
4. smart parking governance.
With general key objectives:
- reduce car traffic and congestion in the city center;
- promote sustainable modes of transportation such as walking, cycling, and public transportation;
- improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists;
- enhance the quality of life in the city center by reducing noise and air pollution from cars;
- increase the attractiveness of the city center for residents and visitors;
- improve accessibility for people with reduced mobility;
- reduce the number of car trips for commuting and shopping;
- promote a shift towards sustainable and active modes of transportation in the long term
To heighten the use of sustainable mobility, we need to prioritize it in traffic when possible. In the center, with a core of 3 by 5 km, the bicycle is the easiest and fastest way to move through the city. Good public transportation options should be available as an alternative. When car transportation is necessary, car-sharing is the preferred option, but individuals can use their own cars as well. Effective circulation and parking management are important to make traffic sustainable in the city center.
Partners working on this policy instrument
The Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan of Lviv (SUMP) is a strategic document that defines the city's transport policy for the next ten years and answers the question of how to optimize the city to make it efficient for its residents, in terms of time, comfort, value, health safety and the least negative impact on the environment. SUMP addresses the transportation issue more broadly. It includes not only the movement of transport as a tool for transporting people but also focuses directly on people and their needs to find more efficient ways of meeting mobility needs that could improve the quality of life in the city. SUMP is an "umbrella" sectoral strategy that brings together the various urban activities that affect the mobility of people and goods within the city. Based on the framework, principles and goals laid down in the Plan, more detailed strategies, concepts, regulations and directories for specific areas of mobility shall be developed, such as public transport development strategy, parking concept in the city, individual motor vehicle traffic concept, cycling development concept.