1. Pages
2. Programme of Networking Platform events 2014

Training workshops on sustainable urban mobility planning

The JASPERS Networking Platform was created to complement JASPERS project advisory operations by implementing knowledge sharing and capacity building activities, as well as fostering dissemination of good practices and exchange of experiences among all EU member states, pre-accession countries and other JASPERS Stakeholders.

The JASPERS Networking Platform is open to relevant authorities from all EU Member States (EU 28), as well as pre-accession Countries.

Context for the JASPERS Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning (SUMP) Trainings

The need for more sustainable and integrative planning processes as a way of dealing with the complexity of urban mobility has been widely recognised at all levels, ranging from national to local municipalities.  New approaches to urban mobility planning are emerging as authorities seek to break out of past silo approaches and develop strategies that can stimulate a shift towards cleaner, more efficient and sustainable transport modes.

Where EU funding, mainly from structural and investment funds, may possibly contribute to the improvement of sustainable transport systems at local and regional level, JASPERS has helped or can help supporting the transition towards competitive and resource-efficient mobility systems in Europe's cities and urban areas by:

• supporting the development of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMP) at local or regional level;

• supporting the ELTIS Mobility Plans portal to disseminate relevant information, publications and tools;

• providing guidance, training and capacity building to improve SUMP capabilities and application at national, regional and local level;

• publishing relevant information and guidance on the JASPERS networking website; and

• offering opportunities for the exchange of knowledge, experience and contacts through networking and technical workshops focusing on a greater uptake of new recognized tools and processes for urban mobility planning.

JASPERS has previously elaborated or supported SUMP guidance, or provided support to individual SUMPs at regional or local level (e.g., CZ, HR, HU, RO, SK, HU). 

DG MOVE and DG REGIO asked JASPERS to support the provision of SUMP Training and Capacity Building to interested EU member states.

To limit the effort to a reasonable level only Member States benefitting from ESIF for transport investments and where JASPERS support in relation to SUMPs was so far not yet requested or provided, were therefore invited to express interest in the SUMP training offered (BG, CY, EE, ES, GR, LT, LV, PL, SI).

The target audiences for these training sessions were (i) national representatives with responsibilities in the area of urban transport planning and mobility, and (ii) representatives of city authorities directly responsible for undertaking SUMPs. The training course was designed to:

• explain fully each step in the SUMP process;

• present a range of best (and worst) practice in the delivery of SUMPs;

• explain the need for, and benefit of, important aspects of SUMP development e.g., stakeholder consultation, strategic environmental assessment, policy/project appraisal and prioritisation;

• provide attendees with the information needed to successfully implement SUMPs in their local context; and

• be tailored to fit the individual needs of the beneficiary.

The emphasis of these workshops was on interactive and participatory training modules providing information and best practice on SUMP processes in an engaging manner. The training course was also designed to make best use of existing SUMP tools, such as self-assessment tools provided in ELTIS.

The training sessions were attended by a total of almost 300 participants and the awareness raising workshops (in Cyprus -  November 2016, and in Greece – January 2017) were attended by a total of about 200 participants, with the participation of ministers, state secretaries, regional governors, academics, media and mostly mayors.

Timing and structure of the training workshops

During the 4 months period 4 one day and 6 two-days training workshops were offered. The full list of training workshops is set out below:

• 26^th September (and 5^th October) 2016, Ljubljana, Slovenia;

• 20^th - 21^st October 2016, Sofia, Bulgaria;

• 15^th - 16^th November 2016, Warsaw, Poland;

• 18^th November 2016, Vilnius, Lithuania;

• 24^th - 25^th November 2016, Nicosia, Cyprus (24^th November – Decision-Makers Event);

• 12^th December 2016, Riga, Latvia;

• 13^th -14^th December 2016, Tallinn, Estonia;

• 23^rd - 24^th January 2016, Madrid, Spain; and

• 1^st - 2^nd February 2017, Athens, Greece (31^st January – Decision-Makers Event).

 
For more information on these workshops and in general on the activities of the JASPERS Networking Platform, please send an email to jaspersnetwork@eib.org.