On 8 March, the European Commission adopted a recommendation to help Member States support their cities in reducing transport emissions and improving urban mobility. The 430 major cities along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) are to be supported in developing their Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs).

The Commission recommends setting up national programmes to support urban mobility planning and implementation, managed by a dedicated office. Support for cities should include guidance documents, training programmes and capacity building, as well as technical expertise and financial support. Peer learning and networking between cities and municipalities will be promoted through the exchange of good practices. Coordinated awareness-raising campaigns are also foreseen. The Commission will invite representatives of the national programme management bodies to work with the new expert group on urban mobility.

As a follow-up to the Commission’s 2021 Urban Mobility Framework, the Recommendation updates the concept of SUMPs to integrate the latest policy developments and strategies to reduce urban road fatalities, combat climate change and use new mobility services.

Source: European Commission