The history of Koprivnica extends to the 13th century, while the 14th century royal freedom grant fostered the growth of the town. Situated strategically on the crossroads of two important European transport corridors, Koprivnica’s position enabled it to serve the wider area in many ways, including trade, crafts and administration.

Today Koprivnica is the administrative centre of Koprivnica-Krizevci County and the regional leader in economic development, traditionally based on agriculture and food production. The population in Koprivnica has constantly increased since the 1960s. With its steadily growing young population, the city is currently planning a regional university for 5,000 students.

Koprivnica ambitiously pursues European environmental and mobility policies and has been active beyond the size of the city to take part in European projects and to launch brave modern solutions.

Two four-year mobility programmes, Town on the Move and Streets for People which were implemented in the city between 2002 and 2009, raised the number of cyclists and pedestrians in the city centre to 40%. However, incoming and outgoing traffic is much less sustainable due to the lack of public transport and the overall popularity of cars for daily transport.

The lack of public transport is perceived as the biggest obstacle in making the modal split more sustainable. According to traffic counts, the modal split is 64% vs. 36% in favour of cars. Public transport is confined to school and factory buses, while train and regional bus services are not integrated and do not operate inside the city.

On the other hand, the city’s mobility policies have enabled the construction of an extensive cycling track network and pedestrian footpaths. Using the European Mobility Week (EMW) as an opportunity to present new measures, Koprivnica has achieved high recognition by winning the EMW Award in 2007. So far, there are over 80km of cycling tracks and pedestrian footpaths inside the city and over 70 km of scenic cycling routes in the surrounding areas.

Koprivnica does not yet have an SUMP, but sustainable mobility is part of the Local Agenda 21, adopted in 2008. Public participation in the planning process of development of the Local Agenda 21 has improved public awareness of sustainable mobility. The development of the Local Agenda 21 has been an important step in the development of planning skills and in strengthening the capabilities of the city's administration.

In CIVITAS DYN@MO project, Koprivnica will work to extend its activities in important fields of sustainable urban transport and focus on two themes: Sustainable urban mobility planning and clean and energy-efficient vehicles.

Most importantly, CIVITAS DYN@MO in Koprivnica will develop public transport and an SUMP. The process of developing the SUMP is an important learning experience for achieving new urban planning expertise and creating an SUMP competence centre for the wider region. Strong focus will be placed on university students’ future mobility needs as there are plans to make the new university campus a model area of sustainable mobility solutions and a zero emission zone.

An innovation corridor will be established within the project, including the local railway line connecting the northern and southern city boundaries as well as the industrial zone and the future university campus. The integrated public transport terminal is located in the middle of this line which is also the starting point for electric buses to be used for public transport. Electromobility will also be promoted through a car-sharing scheme for the local administration and municipal companies based on electric vehicles.

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