Institutional Dimension of Sustainable Mobility

The institutional dimension of sustainable mobility explores the governance structures, policy frameworks, and stakeholder dynamics that shape mobility systems. It emphasizes the importance of transparent, participatory, and accountable decision-making in achieving sustainable transport outcomes. The topics in this section reflect key elements of the GreenComp framework, especially in the domains of Systems Thinking, Collective Action, and Vision for a Sustainable Future. Students are introduced to the roles of public institutions, legal instruments, and collaborative strategies in transport planning and management. These themes are further developed in dedicated chapters of the module, providing a comprehensive understanding of institutional mechanisms for sustainable mobility.

Institutional Pillar in Transport

The topic of the institutional pillar develops competencies primarily in the domains of “Collective Action,” “Vision for a Sustainable Future,” and “Systems Thinking.” Students learn to understand the role of public institutions in planning, financing, and managing transport systems, and how these institutions influence the accessibility, quality, and sustainability of mobility. The topic promotes understanding of good governance principles such as transparency, efficiency, participation, and accountability. It enhances the ability to critically assess institutional frameworks, propose strategies for public-private cooperation, and perceive transport as a public service that should serve all citizens equally. Students learn to identify areas of public interest in transport and design approaches that fulfill these interests in line with sustainable development principles.

Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning (SUMP)

This topic develops competencies primarily in the domains of “Systems Thinking,” “Vision for a Sustainable Future,” and “Collective Action.” Students learn that urban mobility is not merely a matter of infrastructure but a complex interplay of spatial planning, transport systems, and user behavior. SUMP promotes an integrated approach that considers environmental, social, and economic aspects of transport. It enhances the ability to design strategies that support active modes of transport (walking, cycling), public transport, and clean vehicles, while improving urban quality of life. The concept of the “15-minute city” within SUMP strengthens competencies in designing inclusive and accessible urban structures that reduce car dependency and contribute to sustainability. Students learn to collaborate with various stakeholders—from public authorities to civil society—in developing plans that reflect real community needs.

Decision-Making Processes in Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning

This topic develops competencies primarily in the domains of “Critical Thinking,” “Systems Thinking,” and “Collective Action.” Students learn that decision-making in transport planning involves multiple criteria—from environmental impacts and economic efficiency to social equity. Methods such as Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) enable systematic comparison of solution alternatives, consideration of diverse interests, and transparent justification of the most suitable option. The topic supports the ability to work with data, evaluate trade-offs, and engage stakeholders in the decision-making process. Students thus learn to design transport strategies that are not only technically feasible but also socially acceptable and sustainable in the long term.

Advanced Decision-Making: Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

Expanding decision-making processes with methods such as the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) develops competencies primarily in the domains of “Critical Thinking,” “Systems Thinking,” and “Sustainable Action.” Students learn to structure complex decisions using hierarchical models, compare alternatives through pairwise comparisons, and quantify the weights of individual criteria. The topic supports the ability to evaluate transport measures transparently and objectively, consider various dimensions of sustainability (e.g., ecological, economic, social), and assess their impacts. Calculating the consistency ratio within Saaty’s matrix encourages students to reflect on the quality of their decision-making. Methods like AHP also promote participatory approaches by enabling the involvement of diverse stakeholders in evaluating and selecting the most appropriate solutions for urban mobility.