When Planning listens: how Behaviour shapes Sustainable Mobility

Edited on 04/11/2025

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.

Did you miss our webinar?
This article highlights the key lessons from that exchange, focusing on how soft planning and behavioural insights can complement traditional “hard” investments. From gentle nudges that encourage walking and cycling, to co-created initiatives that foster community ownership, the discussion revealed that sustainable mobility depends as much on culture and behaviour as on policy and design.

What you can find inside:

  • Inspiring international examples — from Bologna to Bogotá — showing how small behavioural cues can lead to big shifts in daily mobility.
  • Reflections on co-creation and why involving citizens from the start makes change more inclusive and lasting.
  • A look at the ethical side of nudging: how to ensure transparency, empowerment, and fairness in behavioural planning.

The call to integrate behaviour, governance, and infrastructure — the three pillars of truly sustainable mobility.

As URBACT Lead Expert Pietro Elisei reminds us, “Infrastructure alone is never enough — the real transformation begins when behaviour meets planning.”

Eager to dive into the multidimensional planning? Download and read the full article!

When Behaviour Meets Planning: Towards Sustainable Mobility for All

Submitted by on 04/11/2025
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PietroElisei

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