Evidence is there!

SUITS can show success in implementing transport strategies and measures for sustainable mobility within local authorities

After the fourth out of five workshops, hours of discussion and fruitful debates, the SUITS project team working with cities, is very pleased to show that all local authorities are able to provide evidence for a successful implementation of transport strategies and measures for sustainable mobility.

Leaded by Prof. Ann-Marie Nienaber and her team from Coventry University in close collaboration with Sunil Budhdeo from the City Council of Coventry, the team worked along an eight-step process for organisational change to guide and support the local authorities over the last three years.

The new sustainable thinking within the local authorities and wider society lead to several changes inside the organization.

I. GUIDING TEAMS HAVE BEEN CREATED PERMANENTLY

All local authorities set up a guiding team which functions as the driver for the goals of SUITS and thus, the implementation of transport strategies, policies and measures for sustainable mobility in the future.

Example: Rome Administration created a specific unit under the employ of the Mayor, to analyse the projects consent and the public utility, orienting the citizens toward sustainable choice (economic, social and environment), favouring voluntary and aware choice. This new unit apply the tools of behavioral economics, a new branch of economy field (effects on organizational process).

II. VISIONS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED AND COMMUNICATED

All local authorities developed and agreed on one clear vision for the future!

Example: Palanga decided to go for: “City in nature, created by its citizens”

This vision has been chosen because Palanga is a resort city and synergy with nature is very important. It is also very important to ensure ‘city comfort’ not only for the resort guests but for the locals as well. In order to ensure that the population remains satisfied with urban development and smart mobility solutions, it is necessary to involve the population in the selection of the most appropriate alternatives for these measures.

III. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND IMPLEMENTED

All local authorities are able to provide excellent examples of the implementation of Key Performance Indicators for future sustainable mobility! Every local authority selected or identified based on their key targets for sustainable mobility their indicators for performance. One example by Transport for West Midlands in relation to the field of ‘Interaction and cooperation with business partners’ as a key area for future activities.

Interaction and cooperation with business partners Sign MoUs with business partners No. of MoUs signed with business partners
Carry out projects with business partners No. of projects carried out with business partners
Attract joint funding from business partners No. of projects where business partners have made a financial contribution

 

The cities were able to demonstrate a variety of different activities in their cities to e.g. engage their participants in their planning around future mobility or strengthening of their relationships to stakeholder next to other targets. One example of citizens’ engagement is Kalamaria’s event during the European Mobility Week this year 2019 (the city is  participating in the event since 2013). The theme of this year’s event  was “Walk with Us” (Safe walking and cycling).

The Municipality took part in European Mobility Week. This was carried out in partnership with the Municipality’s department of Culture and Education. The event was targeted at children, citizens in general and bicycle riders. The event was a success due to adequate advertising, andcampaign a supporting infrastructure and good preparation. The final outcome was perceived to be an increased awareness for urban sustainability and healthier lifestyle.

IV.CHANGING ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE IN THE LOCAL AUTHORITY – FROM SILO TO PROJECT

Finally, Valencia provides a great example of becoming a learning organization as the organizational structure of the local authority Valencia changed during SUITS from a silo-organization to a rather cross-functional project based organization which allows for more flexibility, innovative thinking and more behavioural change. While Silo-organization is an organisational structure that is described by teams who works relatively isolated from the rest of the organization. Cross-functional project organisation is an organisational structure that is built by teams. A team that is characterized by including all the skills and competencies required to deliver an end result. That means in a team individuals working together toward a common goal from different departments at the same time.

V. EXCHANGE EXPERIENCES PROGRAMME HAS BEEN INITIATED 

Also Knowledge Sharing between local authorities and University partners has been shown as a great example for the implementation of a sustainable thinking and planning in relation to mobility. Transport for West Midlands, Coventry City Council and Coventry University were approached to exchange experiences with the city of Valencia in their future development towards sustainable mobility (exchange experiences programme) for the time of SUITS and the time after (long term relation). Key issues of interest are e.g. the design of a public roadmap with challenges and resources in relation to sustainable mobility; development and implementation of processes around the introduction of new innovation ideas, marketing and designing of innovative solutions for close relationships with stakeholders. Also procurement and savings belong to the wider umbrella of interest and coordination by Transport for West Midlands, Coventry City Council and Coventry University.

Thus, it is rewarding to acknowledge that the work of SUITs implementation process has prepared the local authorities for a long-term orientation towards sustainable mobility. As the change agent of Kalamaria said: “Through SUITS, Kalamaria, as an organization, with the new administration, is ready to schedule and implement other sustainable mobility measures in the near future.”

 

 

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