SHAPE-IT Guidelines for Policy-Makers: Policy Integration, Policy Processes and Participation in Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning

Summary

Why are sustainable transport policies successful in one place but not in another? The answer to this question is complex, but it holds the keys to effective decision-making for policy development and implementation.

The SHAPE-IT policy guidelines explain how local authorities can use Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMP) as a planning concept for policy integration and participatory processes, with the end goal of developing effective policies, which shape mobility patterns towards sustainability.

The social, environmental and economic challenges, which motivate local authorities’ sustainable transport policies, are most effectively addressed by taking an inclusive and collaborative planning approach. This means moving away from top-down decision making and towards synergistic policymaking which considers transport’s interconnection with other aspects of urban life.

A wealth of knowledge, insights and expertise available across public and private sector actors which is highly valuable for the development of sustainable transport policies. The challenge is to find the right approach for your city and to include the relevant departments and stakeholders in each stage of the policy’s development.

Analysis of SHAPE-IT’s eight case studies reveals the power of such inclusive and holistic approaches to effectively address the social, environmental and economic issues that are inseparably connected to sustainable transport. Ten recommendations are put forth to help guide the way for local authorities to ensure a well-informed, thorough and inclusive process for policy development.