The winners of the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Awards 2021, the 10th Award for Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning (SUMP Award) and the EU Urban Road Safety Award were crowned today. The awards were presented this afternoon at a hybrid ceremony in Brussels hosted by Matthew Baldwin, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Transport and Mobility.
Kassel (Germany) walked away with the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award 2021 for larger municipalities. Meanwhile, Valongo (Portugal) was awarded the title for smaller municipalities. The 10th SUMP Award was given to Tampere (Finland) and Rethymno (Greece) was revealed as the winner of the EU Urban Road Safety Award.
Adina Vălean, European Commissioner for Transport, lauded the award winners' and finalists' achievements: “I would like to extend my congratulations to the winners of the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Awards as well as to all finalists. These cities have taken concrete actions to tackle transport emissions, noise and congestion through innovative actions. With the new EU Urban Mobility Framework, we will support better planning of sustainable urban mobility, putting public transport, walking and cycling at the core of local authorities’ efforts to improve people’s everyday lives.”
Kassel (Germany) – winner of the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award 2021 for larger municipalities
The German city of Kassel impressed the jury with its creative set of activities that united local and regional transport partners to encourage behavioural change in both children and adults. From a treasure hunt for the campaign’s mascot across the city to the organisation of accessible walking and cycling tours, Kassel put its best foot forward for sustainable urban mobility during EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK 2021. The city also implemented an array of permanent measures, including road safety signs near schools and the renovation of two busy streets to promote cycling.
The other finalists are Amadora (Portugal) and Lüleburgaz (Turkey).
Valongo (Portugal) – winner of the EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK Award 2021 for smaller municipalities
During EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK 2021, Valongo prepared numerous innovative sustainable mobility actions and activities that focused on involving local people and organisations, especially schools. Their outstanding participation rate reflected the success of their plans, with people taking part in surveys, fitness classes, as well as a comic mobile theatrical performance of ‘Eco Cops’ performed from a pedal-powered eco-car in the city centre. Valongo also captured the jury’s attention with its permanent infrastructure for an extensive variety of transport modes - including initiatives centred on walking, cycling, public transport, road safety, accessibility and cleaner vehicles - that were designed using a holistic, long-term approach.
The other finalists are Alimos (Greece) and Miajadas (Spain).
Tampere (Finland) – winner of the 10th Award for Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning (SUMP)
Tampere’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan stood out to the jury due to its multidisciplinary approach that empowers people to make healthier mobility choices that are active, safe and environmentally responsible. The ambitious plan includes impact assessments on the effect of mobility campaigns on the local population, as well as a focus on low-carbon mobility, road safety, vulnerable groups, smart mobility solutions, physical and mental well-being, accessibility and low pollution levels. Together with its educational unit, the mobility unit of the City of Tampere is already testing various pilot actions like active school trips by bicycle, on foot or by scooter, zebra crossing campaigns, and also highlighting the fundamental role of mobility in the creation of quality urban spaces.
The other finalists are Madrid (Spain) and Mitrovica South (Kosovo*).
Rethymno (Greece) – winner of the EU Urban Road Safety Award
The jury was impressed by Rethymno’s inclusive approach to road safety, which targets three main pillars: upgrading the public transport system, increasing and encouraging behavioural change through a variety of activities, and the establishment of integrated cooperation with local stakeholders. This comprehensive approach helps Rethymno balance its role as a tourist destination with the needs of local residents. The Greek city has also sought to replicate its success by sharing its experience and lessons learned with other municipalities to enhance the multiplication and transferability of road safety measures.
The other finalists are Florence (Italy) and Warsaw (Poland).
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.
Background
EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK runs from 16-22 September every year, providing towns and cities with an opportunity to try out innovative planning measures, promote new infrastructure and technologies and measure air quality. By encouraging individuals to choose sustainable transport modes such as walking and cycling, we can lower our carbon emissions, improve air quality, and make our urban areas more pleasant places to live and work.
Despite the COVID-19 restrictions in 2021, EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK saw a record-breaking level of participation: over 3100 towns and cities across 53 countries participated in the campaign.
For more information on the campaign, visit https://www.mobilityweek.eu/
Details
- Publication date
- 28 March 2022
- Author
- Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport