The 19th meeting of the Coordinating Group (CG) of the European Platform on Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) took place in Brussels on 20-21 March 2023.
As the headquarters of SUMPs at EU level, the CG is a unique body which has played a considerable role in boosting the uptake of quality SUMPs, which provide an effective multi-sectoral framework for towns and cities to tackle common urban mobility challenges.
The highlight of this 19th meeting was the introduction of 10 new SUMP-related projects to the CG! These projects – some of them are large scheme projects dealing with urban mobility, such as NetZeroCities, the coordination platform of the Cities Mission – “revive” the CG and reflect the wish to integrate the SUMP concept into the wider mobility picture which now focuses on new themes such as climate neutrality, for better liaison and coordination.
This meeting was also the opportunity for the CG to get updated on European urban mobility policies and initiatives, including the reformed Member States Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM) and its SUMP Sub-Group, the recently published SUMP Recommendation, the upcoming Urban Mobility Days in Spain, etc.
The latest SUMP-related activities of the European Investment Bank (EIB/JASPERS) were presented, as well as latest developments around EU guidance on SUMPs (new language versions of SUMP Guidelines, new SUMP Topic Guide on Decarbonisation, CIVITAS HARMONY Guidelines on Modelling Tools for SUMPs, etc.).
All projects of the CG also updated each other on their latest achievements and next steps in terms of SUMP activities, e.g. via interactive project speed updating sessions.
The Coordinating Group brings together representatives of around 20 SUMP-related projects and Commission services. Current members include:
- Eltis
- EIT Urban Mobility
- CIVITAS ELEVATE
- MobiliseYourCity
- ETSP
- ProSUMP
- TAP
- TRANSFORMER
- UPPER
- FastTrack
- SCALE-UP
- MOVE21
- SPINE
- DECARBOMILE
- SUMP Turkiye project
- DUT
- NetZeroCities
While individual member projects have a limited lifespan, their legacy and key deliverables remain within the Mobility Plans section of Eltis on behalf of the SUMP Platform Coordinating Group. Such an inspiring and inclusive ‘round-table’ approach to EU-funded projects working in the same area can certainly serve as a good practice example for other fields of activity.
The objectives of the SUMP Platform Coordinating Group include exchanging best practice on SUMPs, creating synergies between SUMP projects, and identifying and addressing key topics, such as data, financing for SUMPs the link with climate-neutrality goals.
Members of the Coordinating Group exchange on SUMP developments and events, and agree on a common approach to the further development of SUMP guidance and tools. In addition, the CG promotes the EU’s SUMP concept to a wider audience within and beyond Europe, via the projects themselves and by inviting selected organisations to join its meetings twice a year. The CG also cooperates with other projects and platforms, such as the CIVITAS ELEVATE Policy Support Groups (PSGs), the CIVITAS National Networks (CIVINETs) and the European Commission’s Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM).
As part of Eltis, the SUMP Platform Coordinating Group has been chaired by TRT Trasporti e Territorio for the last five years, which has supported best practice exchange and encouraged, together with all members, the widespread uptake of SUMPs in Europe and beyond.