Networks and cities' news

Urban Mobility Paradigms: navigating inclusivity and sustainability in the S.M.ALL project

In the city of Ferrara, which leads the S.M.ALL project, the first transnational “ready for action” meeting took place on December 6th, 2023. This meeting concluded the city visits and marked the beginning of the next planning phase. At this point in the journey, the first considerations about the potential of this network can be formulated.

The S.M.ALL Ad-hoc Serie - Issue 1 - Io and the Cities

Welcome to The S.M.ALL Ad-Hoc Series, where we explore how small and medium-sized European cities empower themselves to reshape local mobility to be more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable. Through this series, our Ad-Hoc Experts will share key insights, practical approaches, and success stories emerging from this collaborative journey.

Nudging Planning Processes: Soft Planning and Behavioural Shifts for Inclusive and Sustainable Urban Mobility*

In contemporary urban planning, we often take it for granted that improved infrastructure, new bike lanes, bus lines, and digital apps will be enough to shift mobility behaviours. But experience shows that without addressing deeper cultural, emotional, and psychological factors, change is irrelevant and short-lived. Through my experience in URBACT S.M.ALL and several other European and non-European projects, I have learned the transformative power of what I call soft planning: a way of thinking about urban change that prioritises process over product, relationships over regulations,
policies over normative or technical plans, and empowerment over enforcement. 

Within this frame, nudges, those gentle behavioural signals that shape decisions without limiting citizens' choices are among the most powerful planning tools at our disposal.

When Planning listens: how Behaviour shapes Sustainable Mobility

When it comes to urban mobility, building new infrastructure is only part of the story. Streets, bike lanes, and transport systems matter — but what truly shapes mobility is how people use, perceive, and adapt to them. The S.M.ALL network’s online webinar, “Shifting Minds, Shaping Cities: Nudging Behaviour for Sustainable Mobility” brought together cities, planners, and experts to explore this human dimension of change.

10 Exciting Things about S.M.ALL's European Mobility Week 2024

European Mobility Week 2024 - 16-21 September - came alive in the partner cities of the URBACT S.M.ALL project, promoting sustainable transportation and vibrant communities. 

Here are ten engaging activities and initiatives that took place. 

Creating Inclusive and Sustainable Cities: Highlights from the S.M.ALL Network in the Second Report

As the S.M.ALL network progresses in its mission to transform urban spaces with a focus on inclusivity, accessibility, and reducing urban inequalities, Lead Expert Pietro Elisei highlights the valuable knowledge and insights gained through transnational collaboration.