Driving urban innovation together: highlights from the SUM, UNCHAIN, and ULTIMO co-creation webinar
Image by Photo by Valentyn Chernetskyi on Unsplash
On 5 June 2025, two CIVITAS-supported projects, SUM and UNCHAIN, joined forces with the Horizon Europe-funded ULTIMO project for a joint webinar dedicated to one of the most vital aspects of sustainable urban mobility: co-creation. This collaborative event brought city practitioners, researchers, and project partners into conversation about how stakeholder engagement and participatory methods are shaping the future of mobility in European cities.
A shared commitment to co-creation
At the heart of CIVITAS lies a fundamental principle: cities should be built for and with their people. The joint webinar emphasized this ethos, underscoring how early, structured, and continuous involvement of citizens, local businesses, public authorities, and mobility providers is essential to the long-term success of sustainable mobility solutions.
The webinar served as both a learning space and an opportunity for exchange, reflecting CIVITAS’ core mission to foster innovation through collaboration. All three projects, SUM (Sustainable Urban Mobility), UNCHAIN (Urban logistics and planning), and ULTIMO (autonomous mobility on demand), demonstrated how co-creation is not merely a consultation tool, but a strategic driver of urban transformation.
Insights from the ground
Each project brought forward practical experiences and examples from their living labs: real-life testing grounds for sustainable innovation.
The SUM project, led by ERTICO, presented how it is deploying co-creation methodologies in cities like Geneva and Fredrikstad, where mobility needs are being mapped through participatory workshops and integrated into transport planning processes. These cities are working closely with residents and local stakeholders to design solutions that promote shared mobility and reduce reliance on private vehicles.
UNCHAIN, coordinated by POLIS, offered a deep dive into the complexities of urban freight and logistics planning. In cities such as Mechelen and Madrid, UNCHAIN is engaging logistics operators, municipal authorities, and local communities to co-develop Sustainable Urban Logistics Plans (SULPs) and explore innovative tools like Urban Vehicle Access Regulations (UVARs). These efforts highlight the importance of blending policy innovation with operational insight, all grounded in stakeholder collaboration.
Meanwhile, the ULTIMO project presented its cutting-edge work on autonomous, on-demand public transport services. With trials underway in Geneva and other European cities, ULTIMO is exploring how multi-vendor autonomous vehicle fleets can be integrated into public transport networks. The project emphasised the importance of engaging users from the outset, not only to build public trust in new technologies but also to ensure the service meets real mobility needs.
From dialogue to policy
A key takeaway from the webinar was the importance of translating co-creation into tangible policy impact. Participants discussed how cities can embed co-created solutions into their Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) and align them with broader goals such as decarbonisation, equity, and accessibility. There was a shared recognition that co-creation is not only about inclusion, it is about improving the quality, relevance, and uptake of innovations.
 Speakers also addressed the challenges of managing expectations, ensuring continuity in engagement, and tailoring approaches to different urban contexts. Despite these challenges, the consensus was clear: co-creation strengthens the legitimacy and effectiveness of urban mobility policies.
Looking ahead
The joint webinar concluded with a commitment to deepen cooperation among the projects and expand the CIVITAS community of practice on co-creation. Next steps include the continued development of co-creation guidelines, cross-city learning exchanges, and the sharing of digital tools and templates that can support replication in other CIVITAS cities.
 For CIVITAS, this webinar reaffirmed a central truth: sustainable mobility cannot be delivered in isolation. By working together across projects, cities, sectors, and communities, we can co-create the future of mobility that is inclusive, innovative, and built to last.
The recording of this session will soon be available.Â
Author: Ainhoa Arrieta
