“Sustainable Transport and Mobility”, twin-city meeting and conference
International Meeting in the Spirit of Green Transport and Sustainable Urban Mobility
The international meeting focusing on green transport and sustainable urban mobility was held on May 23-24, 2025, in the Polish sister city of Wągrowiec. The event, titled “Sustainable Transport and Mobility,” was implemented within the framework of the SUSCOMNET (Project ID: 101138675) network-based sister city project, attracting a diverse range of experts, decision-makers, and municipal leaders. The aim of the meeting was to explore innovative strategies for creating environmentally friendly, inclusive, and efficient urban transport systems.
The discussions focused on the use of new technologies, the promotion of behavioural and cultural change, and the strengthening of cooperation between cities to develop transportation infrastructure and services. By sharing best practices and forward-looking frameworks, the meeting provided concrete action pathways for the twin cities to advance sustainable urban development while aligning with global sustainability goals.
The first day set a practical and collaborative tone, beginning with a visit to the city’s Vehicle Maintenance Centre. The centre showcased the city’s commitment to sustainable transport, including the maintenance of electric buses and hybrid municipal vehicle fleets. Participants observed state-of-the-art diagnostic and repair technologies that maximise vehicle efficiency while minimising environmental impact. The visit highlighted Wągrowiec’s investments in green infrastructure and provided a tangible example of how smaller cities can implement sustainable practices in transportation. The experience stimulated discussions about how the twin cities could share technical expertise and resources to optimise vehicle maintenance in support of greener urban mobility.
The second day continued with an international conference. One of the central themes of the meeting was the transformative role of innovative urban technologies in redefining public transport. Dr. Tamás Szilágyi provided a comprehensive overview of integrated, data-driven platforms, such as Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) systems, which coordinate different modes of transport and merge them into a user-friendly system. Referring to European case studies, he highlighted the success of real-time passenger information systems, demand-responsive transport, and urban mobility applications in reducing emissions and easing traffic congestion. Szilágyi emphasized the critical importance of cooperation between cities, technology developers, and research institutions as a model for twin cities to jointly develop scalable infrastructure solutions, improving connectivity and sustainability.
Education is a key strategy for shaping long-term sustainable transport habits. Dr. Fanni Dudok presented a multi-level pedagogical approach designed for children, adolescents, and university students to promote environmentally conscious mobility habits. She introduced various EU initiatives that integrate mobility education into school curricula, as well as practical programs such as school cycling campaigns and student-led mobility audits. Through digital tools, gamification, and interdisciplinary collaboration, these programs effectively engage younger generations. Dudok highlighted that the twin cities can jointly develop educational frameworks to promote a culture of sustainable mobility, sharing resources and expertise for maximum impact.
Prof. Zsolt Nemeskéri positioned universities as innovation hubs, presenting a comprehensive theoretical framework for embedding green transport solutions into the university environment. He described universities as experimental grounds where electric scooter systems, pedestrian-priority zones, and smart route-planning tools can be tested with real-time user feedback. Using Hungarian and international examples, he demonstrated how campus-based initiatives can influence broader urban policies. The framework is built on systems thinking and sustainability indicators, offering a shared methodology for the twin cities to test and scale green transport innovations as pilot projects, thereby fostering intercity learning and policy alignment.
The practical implementation of sustainable mobility was presented by Michał Nowak, who outlined Wągrowiec’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP). The city’s achievements include the establishment of bike-sharing stations, solar-powered smart bus stops, and pedestrian-friendly urban renewal projects, with particular attention to people with disabilities and young residents. Nowak emphasized the role of data collection and community participation in optimizing transport efficiency. Wągrowiec’s example demonstrates that smaller municipalities can achieve high-impact results even with limited budgets, serving as a model for the twin cities on cost-effective, community-driven solutions.
Mayor Alicja Trytt presented Wągrowiec's sustainable development plans, which integrate green transport with ecological, economic, and social priorities. She showcased the city's strategic use of renewable energy, including geothermal resources, as well as modernized municipal services and renovated public spaces aimed at creating a healthy and inclusive urban environment. The Mayor highlighted the development of sustainable tourism and citizen-centered digital infrastructure, emphasizing public participation in alignment with EU sustainability guidelines and local values. In her view, Wągrowiec serves as a model project for small and medium-sized cities, providing a framework for harmonizing sustainability and local identity through collaborative governance and investment.
Sociological perspectives were brought to the forefront in the presentation by Katarzyna Bondyra, who examined the human and cultural dimensions of green transport transitions. She emphasized that sustainable mobility depends on shifting public attitudes and building trust in new measures. Using Polish and German examples, she demonstrated that early community involvement can reduce resistance, for instance in the case of bicycle infrastructure or car-restriction initiatives. By applying co-creation, behavioural psychology, and equitable planning, twin cities can effectively engage diverse stakeholders.
The intersection of mobility, public health, and biodiversity was the focus of Tamás Baranyai’s presentation. He drew attention to the hidden environmental and health costs of car-centred infrastructure (noise, air pollution, habitat fragmentation). For sustainable urban transport, he recommended green corridors, low-emission zones, and traffic-calming measures that take human well-being and biodiversity into account. With his data-driven approach, he linked transport policy to reducing obesity and respiratory diseases, offering a methodology for the twin cities to integrate health and environmental priorities into urban planning.
Edit Hajnal, in her presentation, illustrated the case study of Gyula, demonstrating how sustainable transport can strengthen urban identity and economic vitality. Through investments in pedestrian, cycling, and electric mobility infrastructure, Gyula reinforces its health- and wellness-centered image with car-free zones and bicycle-friendly routes that are also attractive for tourism. The speaker highlighted the branding potential of green transport, encouraging sister cities to integrate their mobility initiatives with cultural and economic goals to enhance visitor experiences and strengthen local identity.
In a regional and rural context, Włodzimierz Finke presented the challenges of sustainable mobility under limited resources. He showcased Polish municipalities where cost-effective solutions were implemented through partnerships with schools, NGOs, and private companies — such as volunteer bus services and green school-bus programmes. Finke emphasized community participation and tailored solutions, offering the twin cities opportunities to develop equitable mobility options.
The conference was traditionally followed by professional discussions and workshops. These interactive events provided participants with the opportunity to explore best practices in greater depth, examine the practical application of the presented frameworks, and prepare for joint projects. The workshop facilitated a dynamic exchange of ideas, strengthening partnerships between cities and developing concrete action strategies for sustainable urban mobility.
The meeting, the site visit, and the closing workshop emphasized the power of cooperation between sister cities. By sharing technological innovations, educational strategies, community participation models, and policy frameworks, cities can jointly address shared challenges and accelerate progress toward greener and more inclusive urban environments.
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