Province of Mantova holds its first stakeholder meeting

On September 18, 2023, the Province of Mantua held its first SMAPE stakeholder meeting, a key moment in shaping the region's mobility future. The meeting, hosted at the provincial headquarters, was attended by key local entities including the Municipality of Mantova, AGIRE srl, GAL OGLIO PO, and RFI. the local energy and sustainability agency, AGIRE srl, the Local Action Group, GAL, OGLIO PO and the Italian railway provider, RFI.

Mr. Gatti, the director of territorial planning, opened the workshop introducing SMAPE, emphasizing the province's commitment to the European project and its objective to support authorities in their shift away from private car use towards sustainable mobility through shared mobility policies.

By collaborating with partners from seven European countries through SMAPE, the Province of Mantova aims to enhance shared mobility policies and foster public-private partnerships. This collaboration involves adapting the best solutions from the consortium to improve Territorial Plan of Provincial Coordination Plan (PTCP).

The workshop highlighted previous experiences in shared mobility from the SMAPE partners, including a German case study on carsharing's impact on reducing traffic and emissions, and a Belgian example illustrating carsharing's potential in creating livable cities. A focus was also placed on financing and organizing shared mobility services, drawing from the bike-sharing success in Bergen, Norway, and the car-sharing model in Flanders. These cases demonstrate the positive outcomes of strategic planning and community engagement in promoting sustainable transport.

The Province of Mantova's specific needs were then discussed, emphasizing the integration of shared mobility into provincial public transport, creating shared mobility hubs, and fostering public-private partnerships. The session also highlighted the importance of raising awareness about shared mobility among citizens and tourists.

The meeting concluded with a collaborative session where participants engaged in a dialogue about the project's various aspects, reaffirming their commitment to actively participate in the permanent stakeholder group and contribute to future shared mobility initiatives.