Sustainable urban mobility planning development preconditions: governance system approach

Abstract

Sustainable mobility means keeping the ability of people to travel and supply goods in a way that balances environmental and socio-economic aspects and aims at the reducing of negative impacts on environment. The aim of this research is to study how the mobility governance is built and particularly governed in sustainability understanding aspects in urban municipalities in Latvia, using the case of Valmiera town. In the scope of this step-by-step complementary study different transportation modes have been studied with special emphasis put on the necessary application of socio-ecological system and stakeholder participation principles, and, particularly, governance instruments design and application -all six main groups of instruments and their complementary application for urban sustainable mobility. The research has been carried out employing both research-and-development framework and case study research methods, allowing to provide integrative contextual analysis of the particular sustainable mobility subject in the chosen urban area, including document analysis, semi-structured deep interviews with each stakeholder group representatives, household proenvironmental behaviour questionnaire and structured observations. Also, the development planning process was studied and in particular the case of Valmiera Transport development program development and its impact on environment assessment. The research allowed drawing conclusions on the urban sustainable mobility governance aspects in Valmiera and for Latvia municipalities in general. The future developments should include the joint action plan that would foresee the cooperation and implementation of integrative action between the different transport sectors, policy makers, and relevant authorities, as well as sectorial and inter-sectorial policies planning. These documents should be based not only on detailed and professional evaluation of the transportation aspects in the municipality, but to be based on social-ecological systems governance understanding and application, subsequently, including also on evaluation and modelling of transport related environmental issues such as air pollution and environmental noise etc. in order to manage basic challenge for sector-based planning system and special integration of transport planning and environmental planning.

Local Resident Attitudes to the Sustainable Development of Urban Public Transport System

“…It is especially important given the Russian specifics described in the Literature Review section. The results obtained are consistent with the studies presented in the literature, which note that implementing innovation within the smart city concept is impossible without population participation, which is expressed in opinions, assessments, and suggestions [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44].…”

“…At the same time, most researchers agree that implementing innovations within the concept of a smart city is impossible without the population's participation, which is expressed as opinions, assessments, and suggestions [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44]. In examining the determinant factors affecting urban development, Myeong suggested that smart city development includes citizen participation with multi-communication channels in building a smart city.…”

Does Car Sharing Contribute to Urban Sustainability from User-Motivation Perspectives?

“…Mobility sharing makes it possible to meet the mobility needs of citizens and the supply of goods while ensuring positive impacts on the environment and promoting sustainable urban development [27].…”

“…Regardless of the positive aspects of car-sharing and huge interest on the part of the environmentally aware population, it is still a niche. In Latvia, the phenomenon is less studied, and only some the authors are covering the topic to a limited extent [25][26][27][28]. Car sharing and environmentally friendly mobility in Latvia are relatively new concepts [26], and it is something that drivers use relatively rarely.…”

“…The increase in environmentally positive effects within the transportation system requires a complex approach and promotion of new technologies and more responsible attitudes from the transportation industry or policy makers and from the citizens and society in general [27]. It is also important to examine the effectiveness of government policies (support measures) for sustainable transportation [34][35][36].…”