Cologne, the fourth-largest city in Germany, has taken the first step towards the development of its Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, with the completion of its mobility strategy in March 2025. It aims to enhance the city’s mobility over the next decade, building on its 2023 visions, which set out goals for 2035.
At the heart of the Cologne SUMP is a target scenario, detailing seven action areas: walking, cycling, public transport, motorised private transport, connected mobility, commercial and delivery traffic, and spatial planning and land use. Each of these areas has been assigned a set of strategic measures; for example, for cycling, the strategy is to improve network connectivity and expand commuter routes, while for public transport, direct connections between city districts are the focus.
24 performance indicators are included in the strategy, enabling progress monitoring and management towards the 2035 targets. For example, a significant indicator for public transport is punctuality and service reliability. The goal is to increase light rail punctuality from 79% to 90% and reduce service failures from 6.4% to below 2%.
The development of the mobility strategy has seen extensive participation from a variety of stakeholders including experts, interest groups and Cologne citizens, with the development process receiving a national award for good citizen participation. Social acceptability of the strategy was key, ensuring that it addressed vital aspects such as accessibility, safety and affordability. The development process followed the European Commission’s SUMP guidelines.
The strategy is now awaiting approval by the city council and, from autumn 2025, it will be further refined with specific measures to implement the strategy’s vision and objectives. During this stage, elements such as budgeting, priorities, timelines, resource needs, and responsibilities for implementation will be defined.
The EU Urban Mobility Observatory has launched a new interactive city database, providing detailed information on sustainable urban mobility plans (SUMPs) and transport strategies across EU Member States.
Covering all 431 urban nodes within the TEN-T network, the database offers insights into the development stages of urban mobility plans, along with city population statistics. Each city profile includes links to published plans (where available) and official city websites, allowing users to explore different approaches and solutions.
The data is sourced from Eurostat, national databases, and city websites, with regular updates to ensure accuracy.
This tool is a valuable resource for city planners, policymakers, researchers, and anyone interested in urban mobility planning. It showcases the diverse strategies adopted by European cities and serves as inspiration for those developing or refining their own SUMPs.
The 2019 release of the 2nd edition of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) Guidelines became accessible to cities globally. Meanwhile, numerous national institutions have been working on translating these guidelines into their respective languages, aiming to enhance their usability and promote the adoption of SUMP principles within their countries.
An Arabic version has been developed by Hancock Hutton Langues Services and Asmaa Moustaine of TRANSITEC Engenheiros-Consultores. The translation aims to prompt Arabic decision-makers and planners to embrace SUMP concepts and establish integrated planning practices.
All current and forthcoming translations are available for download as documents from the SUMP Guidelines page on the EU Urban Mobility Observatory.
The Urban Mobility Observatory, ELTIS, presents the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan case study of Sofia, Bulgaria.
Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, is experiencing rapid growth which is contributing towards a strained transport system, and unappealing livability. Despite being a desirable place to live and work, increased congestion and air pollution challenges this. To combat these issues, Sofia is taking action to transition towards a more sustainable mobility system, a complex task given the population’s persistent perception of cars as essential and/or prestigious. The city employs a collaborative approach, focusing on information sharing and cooperation to gradually foster sustainable transport solutions and behaviors.
Sofia, the country’s economic hub, produces around 43% of Bulgaria’s GDP. Officially, it has about 1.3 million inhabitants, but estimates put the actual number between 1.6 and 1.8 million due to unregistered residents and commuters from nearby cities. Many commuters travel by car to the city center, where much of the economic activity is centered. High traffic has led to daily congestion and increased levels of air pollution. Car ownership has surged over the past three decades, with 663 cars per 1,000 inhabitants. The number of vehicles registered per capita in Sofia is one of the highest in Europe. A large proportion of the vehicles in use are older and therefore more polluting, the area has significant air pollution issues. It is estimated according to recent studies, that the health and economic costs of air pollution are equivalent to more than 10% of the city’s GDP.
Objectives
To address these challenges, Sofia adopted a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) in 2019. The SUMP aims to achieve 5 main objectives by 2035:
To reduce the negative consequences of transport development for the population and the environment.
To enhance the attractiveness of the urban environment and increase the living standards of the population.
To implement transport innovations to strengthen local mobility and economic development.
To foster the safety of the population in the city’s transport system.
To build an integrated and accessible-to-all transport network.
Residents can also contribute to the development of the SUMP through an interactive platform designed to allow people to submit their suggestions for projects or activities, in addition to providing feedback for planned actions.
To achieve these objectives, the plan recognizes that there need to be attractive alternatives in place to persuade people to make more sustainable mobility choices, including the development of existing walking and cycling networks.
The Plan In Action
Several initiatives were launched including, expanding cycling infrastructure from a 55.5km bicycle network in 2019 to 160km by 2025, introducing on-demand green public transport, and constructing a ‘Green Ring’ cycling path encircling the city center, thus improving mobility to over 30 neighborhoods. Currently, 5 major cycle lanes are under construction.
Sofia has also adopted a programme for pavement renovations, as well as stricter parking enforcement throughout the city. The parking policy in the city’s new SUMP employs the idea that parking is a service that uses public resources and should therefore not be free, in 2021 controlled parking zones were significantly extended, and it is planned that the increased revenues from this will be used to fund pavement renewal, and public transport investments.
Improving public transport is a key requirement to increase its usage. Sofia plans to gradually invest in transport services including buses, trams, and a metro. Over the past decade, Sofia’s metro network has extended significantly, with the latest extension opening in 2020. The network currently consists of 4 lines and 47 stations.
Additionally, the Bulgarian capital is pioneering toward a green public transport fleet, in addition to the development of an integrated ticketing system. Special tickets have been introduced giving the public free access to the city by public transport when air pollution is either high or extremely high in an attempt to further discourage car usage. A unique initiative is the ‘Sofia Coin’ mobile app, which encourages active transport by rewarding users for choosing eco-friendly modes including, cycling, walking, and scooters. The data collected from the app is fed into mainstream mobility infrastructure planning.
To further curb increasing car ownership, shared mobility services are also encouraged. Sofia is part of European projects like SUSMO to promote shared mobility deployment and public-private sector cooperation. The city’s Digital Transformation Strategy supports mobility management, including the development of platforms for car-pooling, flexible pricing models, and real-time data-driven transport planning.
Looking to the Future
While the long-term impact of the SUMP is still unfolding, Sofia’s approach to data-driven cooperation, and sustainable infrastructure development, provides valuable insights for other cities grappling with similar mobility challenges. Achieving sustainable mobility is a work in progress and there is no doubt more can be done. Previous actions may help with future actions including the introduction of a Low Emission Zone (LEZ). Previous attempts to implement this have failed in the past, but in 2023 a decision to try again and create a LEZ zone was approved.
There has been improved awareness amongst the public and stakeholders due to the actions of the STUMP regarding the importance of taking action to reduce traffic and the air pollution it causes. Simaltanously, a start has been made in developing transport alternatives. Providing drivers with high quality sustainable mobility options will help reduce how dependent the public are on cars.
Sofias STUMP has created a vision of alternatives for its residents, with each implemented action the alternatives improve, and people have more sustainable options.
Challenges, Opportunities, and Transferability
While every city is unique, attempts to replicate strategies do not necessarily guarantee success, Sofia offers valuable insights that could benefit other locations. Sofia’s method of collecting and sharing data has not only furnished vital information for planning and decision-making, but has also fostered better collaboration among stakeholders from diverse policy domains, and the private sector. Engaging with the private sector can stimulate the creation of novel mobility innovations, which should be evaluated based on their alignment with public policy objectives.
Digital tools for mobility services also play a crucial role in driving behavioral change. These innovative applications have garnered substantial media attention and heightened awareness about viable mobility solutions. Nonetheless, in the absence of basic mobility infrastructure, and effective policies to deter excessive car use, it is unlikely that a large shift in transport modes will occur. The SUMP does however, set the course for an integrated approach. Starting with its development, each progressive step outlined within the SUMP moves the city closer to implementing measures for enhanced sustainable mobility.
How can we ensure that the growth of urban populations in European cities doesn’t lead to increased traffic, congestion, and pollution? The solution lies within mobility management, which offers adaptable strategies to promote sustainable transportation in diverse local contexts.
Both Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) and mobility management share the common goal of encouraging the use of eco-friendly transportation methods. Mobility management measures are integral components of any comprehensive SUMP.
To support urban planners and transportation practitioners in this process, the third Policy Support Group of the CIVITAS ELEVATE Coordination and Support Action has produced a Topic Guide on the Integration of Mobility Management for both Public and Private Organizations into SUMPs. This group includes experts from five organizations: European Platform on Mobility Management, Klimaaktiv mobil, Tisséo Collectivités, Alba Iulia Municipality, and Gdansk Municipality. It also involves the CIVITAS Policy Advisory Committee, TRT (Trasporti e Territorio), and stakeholders from the mobility management sector.
Within the SUMP Topic Guide, a set of key recommendations is presented, accompanied by diverse examples of successful practices from across Europe. These examples underscore the advantages of effectively incorporating mobility management for both public and private entities into SUMPs across five critical domains: urban development, governmental bodies, businesses, education institutions, as well as the tourism and recreation sectors.
The Topic Guide is an integral part of a compendium of EU guidance materials, complementing the revised second edition of the SUMP Guidelines.
430 European cities to receive support to develop their Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs)
A recommendation was adopted on 8 March by the European Commission, designed to help member states to support their cities and towns in improving urban mobility and cutting transport emissions. The 430 major cities along the trans-European transport network will receive support to develop their SUMPs.
National programmes are recommended to support the planning and implementation of urban mobility, managed by a dedicated office. Cities should expect support in the form of guidance materials, traningin programmes and capacity building, alongside technical expertise and financial support.
Cities and towns will be encouraged to participate in peer learning and networking, and the sharing of good practices. Coordinated awareness-raising campaigns are also envisaged. Representatives from national programme management offices will be invited to work with the new Expert Group on Urban Mobility. Member States are expected to inform the Commission annually of actions taken in the light of the Recommendation.
Under the recommendation, the concept of SUMPs has been updated to integrate latest policy developments and strategies to make use of new mobility services, address climate change, and reduce road fatalities in cities. These policy developments prioritise such affordable and sustainable transport modes as shared mobility services, walking, cycling, public transport and zero-emission urban logistics. The update to the SUMPs concept is a result of the commitment to the European Commission’s 2021 Urban Mobility Framework.
Eltis calls for stakeholders and city authorities to update their listed Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans and help refresh the resource.
The Eltis City Database is an information repository featuring Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) and Transport plans from across Europe. To retain relevance the database requires regular updates; Eltis is now undertaking a comprehensive overhaul of the database’s structure and usability.
The end goal of the City Database is to include accurate SUMP information for all European cities, with 1,313 cities already covered. At this scale, the assistance of stakeholders and city authorities is incredibly useful.
The latest draft Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning (SUMP) guide aims to provide guidance to urban mobility practitioners, policymakers, school management, and both public and private employers who wish to implement mobility management measures in their jurisdictions.
The latest SUMP guide from Eltis is currently in draft form and will focus on five main areas where transport planning can better include mobility management: urban developments, public authorities, companies, the education sector, as well as the tourism and leisure sectors. Each sector will be fully explored, outlining key recommendations, and examples of excellent practice from across Europe.
“The first draft of the Topic Guide has been developed by the Policy Support Group of the CIVITAS ELEVATE Coordination and Support Action, which consists of experts from five organisations (European Platform on Mobility Management, Klimaaktiv mobil, Tisséo Collectivités, Alba Iulia Municipality, Gdansk Municipality), the CIVITAS Policy Advisory Committee, TRT (Trasporti e Territorio), and a group of stakeholders from the mobility management sector.
The public is warmly invited to participate in the consultation process. Public consultation is an important step of the process, as it allows stakeholders to contribute to the development of the Guide, as well as ensure that it is relevant to all urban mobility actors.”
To contribute to the SUMP Guide’s public consultation, visit the Eltis website, here. The window for feedback is open until Tuesday 13 December 2022.
EuropeanMobilityWeek catches up with Deputy Mayor Aleksi Jäntti of Tampere, Finland, to discuss the award’s meaning for the city and its future sustainable endeavors.
“As a rapidly growing urban area, Tampere is working to create a liveable, inclusive city for all. Its multidisciplinary approach to sustainable urban mobility planning empowers its residents to make healthier mobility choices that are active, safe, and environmentally friendly. The City’s winning sustainable urban mobility plan includes an impact assessment of the effect that mobility campaigns have on the local population. The plan also spotlights low-carbon mobility, road safety, vulnerable groups, smart mobility solutions, physical and mental well-being, accessibility, and low pollution levels to ensure a holistic approach to mobility.”
“What does winning the Award for Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning (SUMP) Award mean for Tampere?
Winning the SUMP Award is a great pride and joy! Our City’s development and work to promote sustainable mobility has really been recognized. The Tampere City Strategy introduces Tampere as ‘the city of action.’ Last year, 2021, is more than excellent proof of this: Our SUMP was accepted, and both new and improved possibilities for sustainable mobility were introduced.
The award, for its part, shows that we are on the right track and encourages us to go on with the implementation of measures and sustainability.”
“How does sustainable mobility fit into Tampere’s vision for a sustainable, resilient city?
“It fits very well! The goal of carbon neutrality sets the target for the future modal split in Tampere. But sustainability goes far beyond only reducing emissions. The shift from individual motorized transport towards public and active mobility modes takes Tampere’s goals forward from the perspective of climate and environment, as well as safety, well-being, equality, and economy. Sustainable transport, both for people and freight, is also space-efficient, which is an import aspect for a growing city like Tampere.”
“EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK recently launched a new slogan: #MixandMove. How does Tampere encourage multimodal approaches to transport? Why is this important?
Integrating different forms of mobility is crucial when we want to decrease emissions, shorter individual motorized trips, and offer people more flexible access to mobility. Additionally, multimodality can also improve the cost-effectiveness of public transport, especially in sparsely populated areas.
In Tampere, multimodality can take the form of city bikes, robos or e-scooters used to reach tram stops easily; a demand-based taxi brings someone to take a local train or a network of Park&Rides by truck line routes.
In addition to infrastructure and new services, mobility management is needed to change the mindset for new possibilities. Also, digital technologies and smart traffic management can play a significant role. Therefore, improving multimodality needs cooperation between the public sector and private providers.”
