Thinking space and mobility together: acatech recommends greater freedom for local authorities
Munich/Berlin, 20 February 2024
Environmental and climate protection in transport requires both: intelligent technologies and an integrated design of mobility and space according to the motto “Ankommen statt unterwegs sein” (Reaching success). To this end, acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering has now presented findings from research, practical examples, recommendations for action and a guide for local authorities. These need legal certainty and greater powers, which must be enshrined in the ‘Straßenverkehrsgesetz’ (StVG) (Road Traffic Act) and the ‘Raumordnungsgesetz’ (ROG) (Spatial Planning Act) in particular.
The referendum in Paris that larger vehicles such as SUVs should pay drastically higher parking fees has also sparked a debate in Germany: what room for manoeuvre do local authorities have? The “Integrated Urban Development and Mobility Planning” project, the results of which were presented in Berlin on 20 February, recommends expanding existing scope: municipalities need legal and financial options so that they can plan urban development and mobility in an integrated manner as key players. This is because every city and every region has different requirements and different mobility needs.
However, overarching regulations such as the Road Traffic Act and the Spatial Planning Act limit local authorities’ room for manoeuvre. “It’s a dilemma,” says co-project manager Helmut Holzapfel: “Local authorities are supposed to drive forward the mobility transition, but as soon as they try out new ways of using public space more diversely and opening up streets to pedestrians, for example, they quickly face the threat of legal action. An amendment to the Road Traffic Act is an important basis for more design options on the ground.” However, a corresponding reform of the Road Traffic Act failed in the Bundesrat at the end of 2023.
acatech study shows where integrated spatial and mobility planning is already being successfully implemented
The target image of integrated spatial and mobility planning is a liveable urban region with a high quality of life and short distances. Possible building blocks include low emission zones, the expansion of walking and cycling infrastructure or the establishment of a city-wide bike hire system as well as better connections between neighbourhoods by public transport.
The study “Ankommen statt unterwegs sein” (Reaching success), which acatech presented on 20 February, presents cities in which space and mobility have already been rethought and redesigned. In Freiburg, for example, the share of eco-mobility (pedestrian, bicycle and public transport) in total traffic rose from 61 to 79 per cent between 1982 and 2016, while the share of motorised private transport fell from 39 to 21 per cent. Hanover is aiming for better spatial integration within the region and wants to reduce transport-related CO2 emissions by 70 per cent by 2035. Paris is one of the pioneers on the way to becoming a 15-minute city: all everyday journeys should be possible within this time frame – on foot, by bus and train or by bike.
Expert group recommends: extend experimentation clauses, reform funding programmes
Whether car-free streets and neighbourhoods, 30 km/h zones, bus or cycle lanes: local authorities lack design options and legal certainty in many areas. In addition to legal reforms, the acatech expert group therefore recommends expanding and simplifying experimental clauses as well as funding programmes with which the federal and state governments can support local authorities in the restructuring of space and mobility. Experimentation clauses make it possible to deviate from regulations for a limited period of time in order to test certain projects and measure their effects. “Sendlinger Strasse in Munich is a good example,” says co-project manager Klaus J. Beckmann. “The street was initially rededicated as a pedestrian zone on a trial basis. Since then, people have been strolling around, enjoying the newly gained space and retailers have also benefited from the increased footfall. After just one year, it was clear that it should stay that way.”
The reform of funding programmes and greater support for local authorities in retaining and recruiting skilled workers are also on the list of recommendations. A municipal guideline, which was also developed as part of the project, is explicitly aimed at municipal practitioners and shows action modules for implementation.
About the project
Since 2020, the acatech project “Integrated Urban Development and Mobility Planning” has been investigating how everyday mobility can be designed in an ecologically, economically and socially sustainable way. The integrated approach requires close cooperation: between the respective planning authorities and the various political departments at municipal and regional level, between all levels (municipalities, federal states, federal government, EU) and hand in hand with citizens, economic actors and social initiatives.
Over the course of the project, a group of experts analysed the framework conditions, concepts, implementation strategies, processes and collaborations for success and effectiveness. The results of the analysis are three publications, which were presented on 20 February:
- acatech POSITION “Thinking Space and Mobility Together. Recommendations for Action for Integrated Urban Development and Mobility Planning” (in German)
- acatech STUDIE “Reaching Success. Integrated Urban Development and Mobility Planning Project” (in German)
- acatech KOOPERATION “Liveable Cities and Regions. Municipal Guidelines for Integrated Urban Development and Mobility Planning” (in German)
Further information
www.acatech.de/stadtentwicklung-mobilitaetsplanung (in German)