Two-day workshop in Velenje on evaluation of sustainable urban mobility plans

A two-day workshop on the evaluation of sustainable urban mobility plans (SUMP) was held in Velenje on 13th and 14th October 2022.  About 40 members of the CIVINET Slovenia-Croatia-SEE network from Slovenia, Croatia and BiH participated in the workshop.

Until now, in the first generation of sustainable urban mobility plans, the focus was on the optimization of road traffic and parking, while the new generation of plans should emphasize decarbonization, reducing the volume of road traffic, street reallocation, promote public transport, walking and cycling.

The question arose whether sustainable mobility plans in the region are effective in achieving the set goals. During the group work, it was concluded that we cannot talk about the effectiveness of the plans because there is no clear system and legal obligation for their monitoring. In order for the plans to become more effective, it is necessary to adopt a sectoral strategy with relevant indicators and legislative framework together with the continuously monitoring of the entire process.

The most effective measures are those in traffic calming, expansion of pedestrian zones, city centre entrance fees, transformation of road space and appropriate parking management. These are mostly measures that do not cost much. Effective are also street painting, surveillance cameras and street furniture.

The effectiveness of the entire process of sustainable urban mobility plans will be improved by continuous education, accurate investment, changing habits, process monitoring and adaptation to current situation and trends.

Plevnik concluded that transport-spatial planning should focus on people and better quality of life for all, instead only on transport, since transport is one of the components of everyday life. The need for an interdisciplinary approach in the creation of new sustainable mobility plans was also expressed.

At the end of the first day, the hosts arranged for the participants a study visit on electric bicycles and Lokalc bus to Lake Velenjsko and the Vista. The municipality of Velenje adopted the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, which includes five priority key areas: sustainable planning, walking, cycling, public transport and change in the habits of users of motorized traffic. Since 2018, they have also offered free transportation for the elderly and disabled (Kamerat).

The second day of the event continued with the session SUMP – practice that results in change. At the beginning, network coordinator Matija Vuger from the City of Zagreb made an introduction to the session which was dedicated to the examples of good practice and experience transfer in planning and implementation of SUMPs in Slovenia and Croatia.

First example from Slovenia was presented by Nela Halilović from IPoP (Institute for spatial policies) and Katarina Ostruh from Velenje. It was about new organization of Rudarska street in Velenje. They pointed out that the public participation is a positive, but demanding process.  Despite the fact that part of the citizens was dissatisfied with the temporary closure of the street, to which social networks also contributed, the Velenje authorities believe that it is necessary to continue in the planned direction, even with small steps.

Next, Mojca Balant from Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia talked about Slovenian experiences in creating a tool for evaluation of SUMP, focusing in her presentation on the development of the tool, the SUMP quality evaluation system and the legal basis.

Few examples from Croatia followed. Mateo Uravić from Ernst&Young elaborated the process of development of SUMP in the City of Zadar, the methodology, vision, goals and measures, actions and evaluation plan, as well as scenarios of development.

Ivan Nemet, representative od the town of Križevci stressed out the problems small towns usually faces with. The approach to mobility management in the Town of Križevci is based on the integration of transport and spatial planning, the promotion of walking and cycling on daily basis, the development of attractive public transport, the promotion of sustainable mobility as a part of the sustainable development of the Town and the rationalization of the use of motor vehicles.

The experience of Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences from Zagreb in the preparation and creation of SUMPs was presented Marko Slavulj and Mario Ćosić. Since 2013, the Faculty has been continuously involved in the creation of studies and mobility plans for cities and towns, and since 2014 it has participated in the preparation of eight SUMPs. The Faculty is currently involved in the process of creating SUMP of the Town of Rovinj and the Town of Labin.

The most important conclusions on the workshop are:

• the need for national and legislative frameworks in all countries in the region
• work on improving the capacity for evaluation and implementation
• the need for good examples – cooperation, inspiration and learning from the best cities in Europe
• same methodology and terminology

All presentations you may find HERE.

Photo gallery is available HERE.

The event was organized in cooperation with Velenje Municipality as part of the CLIMASUM project.