From Plans to Projects
After months of drafting IAPs, partner cities are about to turn blueprints into reality. Larissa and its upgraded pedestrian routes that will ensure safer and more accessible public spaces, the new school routes in Ferrara, Strasbourg and the youth-led campaigns promoting sustainable mobility. Each city is finalising its local testing actions to spark long-term urban change.
Pilots that Inspire
This quarter saw pilot projects moving from concept to execution. Sofia is introducing an on-demand transport service for people with disabilities, while Druskininkai is embracing universal design, ensuring accessibility for all. Meanwhile, Komotini is taking bold steps in its historic center, creating pedestrian-friendly routes and engaging local businesses in a city-wide mobility campaign. These initiatives reinforced a powerful message: small-scale actions can lead to scalable, city-wide transformations.
The Power of Participation
Citizen engagement was at the heart of this quarter’s success. Urban Local Groups (ULGs) evolved from advisory panels to active co-creators of mobility solutions. In Bucharest, schools, local communities, and city officials worked together to design safer school routes. In Škofja Loka, residents mapped out accessibility barriers, leading to concrete improvements in urban design. By building trust and involving citizens at every stage, these cities ensured that mobility plans weren’t just top-down policies, but collective commitments to change.
Managing Risks, Building Resilience
Anticipating challenges before they arise was a key theme this quarter. The Risk Analysis Table, introduced at the Larissa Mid-Term meeting, helped cities assess potential roadblocks and plan solutions proactively. This shift toward structured risk management ensured that cities could navigate uncertainties without losing momentum.
What can we expect next?
As S.M.ALL enters its last year of implementation, the focus is clear: scale up what works, refine pilot projects, and embed inclusive mobility into long-term urban strategies. The fourth quarter reinforced key lessons - pilot projects drive innovation, co-creation is essential, and risk management is a strategy, not an afterthought.
S.M.ALL is moving full speed ahead, proving that sustainable urban mobility isn’t just a vision. Stay tuned for the next steps on this exciting journey!
