CIVITAS Forum 2026
Thessaloniki GreeceConference
Image by CIVITAS Initiative
Registration now open!Â
About the CIVITAS Forum 2026
The CIVITAS Forum 2026, the flagship event of the CIVITAS Initiative, will take place from 15-17 September 2026 in the coastal city of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Since 2003, the CIVITAS Forum has been a dynamic conference for smart, inclusive and sustainable urban mobility. The Forum welcomes city representatives, policymakers, practitioners, planners, academics and mobility enthusiasts from across Europe and beyond to exchange ideas, showcase innovation and build lasting connections.
This year, the theme of the CIVITAS Forum is, 'Roots & Routes: Moving Forward to Competitive, Connected and Resilient Urban Mobility!'. The programme will be structured around three umbrella topics (competitive, connected and resilient mobility) reflecting key priorities for sustainable urban mobility in Europe.
Topic 1: Competitive urban mobility
How can cities strengthen mobility systems to support innovation and economic competitiveness?
Main session topics include:
- Transforming public transport systems through innovation and partnerships
- Financing urban mobility, including procurement and EU funding
- Developing the skills and workforce needed for the transition
- Supporting start-ups and SMEs in mobility innovation
- Mobility solutions for sustainable tourism
Topic 2: Connected Urban Mobility
How can cities better connect people, services and transport networks?
Main session topics include:
- Shared mobility and micromobility services
- Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM)
- Data-driven mobility, including AI and digital twins
- City–region connectivity and TEN-T urban nodes
- Urban freight data connectivity
- Urban mobility innovation in future EU Member States
Topic 3: Resilient Urban Mobility
How can cities develop inclusive, healthy and climate-resilient mobility systems?
Main session topics include:
- Accessible public transport for all
- Active mobility for healthier cities
- Future-ready last-mile logistics
- The energy–mobility nexus in transport transitions
- Safe streets for all through Vision Zero
Why Thessaloniki?
Home to around one million residents, Thessaloniki is Greece’s second-largest city and a key economic, innovation and transport hub for Southeast Europe. As the capital of the region of Macedonia, Thessaloniki combines a rich cultural heritage with a strong forward-looking mobility agenda.
In 2021, Thessaloniki adopted an ambitious Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) with a clear vision: A vibrant, resilient and functional urban environment where residents and visitors can move easily using combined alternative transport modes, enjoying open seafronts and green public spaces.
Key highlights of Thessaloniki’s mobility transformation include:
- Prioritising walking and public space reallocation, with low-traffic areas and pedestrian routes
- Advancing multimodality, including electric car- and bike-sharing and mobility hubs
- Acting as a large-scale ITS testbed for cooperative mobility services
- Rolling out a city-wide MaaS scheme integrating public transport and shared mobility
#CF2026
