Living Labs
We shape innovative transportation projects in user-driven test environments—real-world challenges, real data!
6 Countries
FORTHCOMING makes use of its varied case studies, belonging to 6 countries: Spain, Hungary, Italy, Germany, and Türkiye. The case studies are low-to-mid-density and either belong to Mission Cities partner cities’ metropolitan areas (Madrid, Turin, Lisbon, Istanbul) or relevant cities that are outshone by capital cities or economic centers and that nonetheless are of interest (Hamburg, Debrecen). These case studies cover Europe’s vast geography, representing different climates, cultures, and wealth. All case studies include the central city (core city) where several 15-minute city-aligned strategies are already implemented or planned, and either a periphery area or a city in the suburbs (suburb setting) where those measures will be transferred.
The 6 Case Studies
The 6 case studies are all selected according to the following logic: One core city with 15-minute city measures being implemented and a suburban city/area in the metropolitan area in need of improvement where Urban Living Labs (ULL) will be set up. The ULLs will allow us to define a common approach for all 6 Case Studies as well as define a methodology for testing innovations and involving citizens and stakeholders like public authorities, transport operators, technology providers, and community associations.
Spain
The case study from Spain is the municipality of Las Rozas, located approximately 20km from the center of Madrid. Las Rozas has rather small central area that is comparatively dense and mixed-use, but beyond that, the municipality is divided into large monofunctional areas: residential (mostly single-family or semidetached housing), commercial (two large fashion outlets) and industrial. Spatial segregation of Las Rozas is aggravated by three main highways that run through the municipality and a railway line that connects the suburb with Madrid.
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In Germany, Altona District was selected as a case study. It is a very diverse district that used to be a town, and is now integrated within Hamburg. For this reason, it has a complex urban structure that ranges from dense city centre (with town hall, and terminal train station) to suburban single-family areas, including functionalist post-war era residential areas of mid-low density. Altona is also very active in developing state-of-the-art urban mobility policies.
Germany
Hungary
In Hungary, the focus will be on Kertváros, suburban area of Debrecen, mostly low-rise and residential, where residents must travel (usually by car) to reach commercial facilities or workplaces. In the case of Debrecen, significant share of employment opportunities and childcare/educational facilities are concentrated in the western parts of the city, and trips to these destinations from the eastern neighbourhoods create car traffic in the city centre, causing severe congestion problems.
Italy
In Italy, the town of Settimo Torinese has been selected. It is an industrial town located in the outskirts of Turin. It is an industrial town located in the outskirts of Turin, connected to the main city through a railway line and the provincial road SP11. It presents both anthropic and natural barriers, such as the highway A4 and the railway Turin-Milan to the north, the beltway A55 to the southwest, an extensive industrial area and SP11 and Po River to the southeast, challenging active and sustainable mobility within in it.
Portugal
In Portugal, Alverca do Ribatejo, a small town in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, will be analysed. Alverca do Ribatejo is well-connected to Lisbon by train and highway, however, in this case the attractiveness of the capital in terms of employment is relatively limited: 40% of commuting trips in Alverca are made within the civil parish of residence. This is mainly because the town is surrounded by large industrial sites and warehouses which can offer employment opportunities. Although many commuting trips are short distance, the use of car is nevertheless quite high (59%), partially because existing highways divide the area into three different segments, currently poorly connected by alternative transport modes.
Türkiye
In Türkiye our case study is the district of Küçükçekmece, located in the western periphery of Istanbul. It is Istanbul’s second most populous district, and the area is rapidly developing in terms of mixed-use and service diversity, also a new metro line is under construction. At the same time, having privileged conditions in terms of connectivity (the district is close to two Istanbul airports, national and international railways, several highways and port), Küçükçekmece strives to become a large intermodal logistic centre, where sustainable logistic options will be implemented and tested.
