Enabling a car-independent lifestyle in Munich
In times of constant urban growth, it is important to meet the challenges of limited space and different mobility needs. As part of CIVITAS ECCENTRIC, the Domagkpark and Parkstadt Schwabing districts are creating a model quarter for sustainable urban development and city-compatible mobility in Munich.
Within these two densely populated areas, which combined have around 8,000 residents and more than 12,500 daily commuters, the goal is to ensure better quality of life and complete mobility without the need for a private car.
To make this possible, the city of Munich is prioritising shared mobility and sustainable, clean urban freight.
Shared mobility involves offering flexible, publicly accessible vehicles. As these reduce the demand for parking spaces in cities, augment the public transport network, and contribute to air pollution control, Munich has started reserving public parking spaces exclusively for vehicles used in car sharing schemes.
This marks the first time that Munich is using the new German Car Sharing Act to set aside public car parking spaces for car-sharing services. In addition, new road traffic signs and markings have been introduced for them.
Shared mobility is also facilitated by four new "mobility hubs", where different mobility service providers and various vehicles are brought together. They enable temporally and spatially flexible and cost-effective access to different transport modes.
Instead of having to commit to a specific form of transport, users can now choose from a variety of options, including bicycles, cargo bikes, e-scooters, and (e-)cars.
Anyone using these sharing offers saves money and enjoys increased flexibility. Most importantly, such user-centric mobility means everyone can find the right means of transport for meeting their different needs, be it related to family, work, everyday life or leisure.
However, as such hubs are new to traffic and mobility planning, careful work will need to be done to ensure they are integrated into a city's transport system.
As parcel deliveries continue to increase, so does urban freight traffic. Within the district sorting office "Domagkwerk", goods and parcel deliveries for the area are bundled centrally, with last mile deliveries made on using electric cargo bikes.
Conducting last mile deliveries in such a way avoids additional distribution runs and reduces emissions, benefitting both the city and the environment.
To read more about Munich's work in CIVITAS ECCENTRIC, click here.
Find out more about the project on its dedicated page.
Photo credit: City of Munich, 2018
