The present project will implement an innovative mobility management methodology and mobility labelling at 6 Business and Industrial Zones (BIZ) located in small/medium cities of 5 European countries. The aim is to use the results of the local implementation in order to establish a mobility management methodology that could be applied to BIZ across Europe (Boxed Solutions methodology). A methodology which will constitute the bases for a successful organisation and promotion of sustainable mobility in European BIZ, contribute to energy efficiency in transport and a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.
The need for such a methodology stems from the increasing number of BIZ in small/medium cities in Europe and the mobility issues encountered at them. These issues are generally similar between different European sites and mainly characterised by a very weak alternative to private car for home-work mobility, resulting in a percentage of car use higher than 80%. The cause lies mainly on two factors, the location of these BIZ in remote areas, meaning public transport links are weak, and also on the employees themselves that demand flexibility in their transport options.
In order to tackle the mobility issues of BIZ and their causes, the project will follow a multi-competency approach (Mobility Management, Community Development & Participatory Planning), which relies in five pillars:
- Strong international partnership that will enable the exchange of information and competences between the partners and will lead to the creation of the Boxed Solutions methodology.
- Activation of a Local Mobility Group coordinated by the area-mobility-manager.
- Participatory planning of the actions that are best suited locally
- Home-work mobility surveys
- Mobility management training for decision makers
The project is organised over a period of 25 months and involves 6 BIZ located in 5 European countries: Bulgaria, Italy, Estonia, Spain & UK.