This afternoon, the European Commission adopted four proposals designed to modernise the EU’s transport system and address core mobility challenges – such as congestion, noise pollution and poor air quality - that cities across Europe are facing.

One of these proposals, the newly launched Urban Mobility Framework (UMF), provides guidance for European cities on how to reduce emissions and improve mobility, including via Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs). The framework emphasises the importance of public transport and forms of active mobility, namely walking and cycling. In addition to prioritising zero-emission solutions for urban fleets as part of the framework, the Commission also aims to propose a Recommendation to EU Member States to develop national plans that will offer cities assistance when drafting local mobility plans. The proposal also provides information about funding opportunities for local and regional authorities to implement these priorities.

Invest in a healthy future via sustainable mobility

With 70% of the EU population living in cities and 23% of the EU’s transport greenhouse gas emissions coming from urban areas, it is more important than ever before to create cleaner and healthier urban environments by investing in sustainable mobility. The UMF's toolbox offers local administrations instruction on how to build stronger public transport networks, improved active mobility options, better management of mobility flows, modern stations and much more.

Many local administrations across Europe are already doing this work as demonstrated by the astounding 3,184 towns and cities that registered for this year’s EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK campaign. Through their work over the years, participating local administrations, citizens and organisations have helped the EU further its efforts to achieve significant milestones, such as the 100 climate-neutral cities by 2030 – of which sustainable urban mobility is a key component – and the European Green Deal.

The Urban Mobility Framework also provides a useful structure for cities to connect various mobility initiatives with European wide climate and health related goals, and will be a critical tool for ambitious EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK towns and cities who have or are currently implementing permanent measures, organising awareness-raising activities, drafting SUMPs and more.

Alongside the new Urban Mobility Framework, which shifts away from an approach based on traffic flow to an approach based on moving people and goods more sustainably, the Commission aims to modernise Europe’s transport system by facilitating increased connectivity and by moving more passengers and freight to rail and inland waterways. As a whole, the proposals will put the EU’s transport sector on a path to cutting its emissions by 90%.

For more information about the new Urban Mobility Framework, click here. Explore the various proposals, here. Finally, find frequently asked questions about the framework, here.