“Strasbourg Rhine Metropolis: which sustainable mobility?”

On March 29, 2021 the SuMo-Rhine project conducted an online participatory workshop with the theme “Strasbourg Rhine Metropolis: which sustainable mobility?“. The workshop was organized by the AMUP/IMM research team of the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Strasbourg (ENSAS), under the direction of Andreea Grigorovschi, with the participation of the Laboratoire Image Ville Environnement (LIVE) of the University of Strasbourg and the CNRS.

The workshop was structured in two parts, according to two proposed topics. The first part focused on the mapping and multi-scale evaluation of existing mobility conditions, while the second, more prospective part discussed exploratory mobility scenarios and their modeling.

As an introduction, Andreea Grigorovschi (ENSAS) explained the contents and expectations of the session and presented the SuMo-Rhine project, its objectives and organization, with a focus on the indicator system and its two applications discussed during the workshop: the analysis of existing mobility systems and the evaluation of prospective mobility scenarios.

Marie Fruiquière (ENSAS) then presented the first topic, entitled “The SuMo Atlas: Mapping existing mobility conditions based on the first results of the indicator system”. The workshop participants had the opportunity to see the very first visualizations of the assessments for the Rhineland cities (multi-scale maps and graphs) according to the SuMo indicators and sub-indicators calculated just one week before the workshop took place. Marie Fruiquière was also able to show the work that is necessary to calibrate the calculation of the indicators. The presentation was followed by a discussion that allowed the participants and the SuMo-Rhine team to exchange on the advantages and challenges of the indicator calculation and mapping approach.

After a short break, the second part of the workshop focused on the development and modelling of exploratory mobility scenarios for the Eurometropole of Strasbourg. Paul Salze (LIVE – UNISTRA / CNRS) presented the multi-agent model that simulates the movement of people on a territory. The model predicts for each individual the choice of transport mode and its routes. This makes it possible to analyze mobility and development scenarios in order to simulate their effects on the mobility practices of inhabitants, and then to determine their respective impacts according to sustainability indicators.

Afterwards Marie Fruiquière and Jeremy Hawkins (ENSAS) presented two exploratory scenarios for the Rhine Metropolis of Strasbourg. The scenarios help to test the indicator system as a decision-making tool and as a support to evaluate local policy visions with respect to mobility sustainability. The two exploratory scenarios develop two different visions for 2030. The first scenario is oriented towards soft mobility (“Low impact mobility scenario”) and is based on a change of behaviors, values and lifestyles, favoring a return to the local and mobilizing a relatively low investment. The second scenario follows more an optimization and innovation logic, considering in particular the strengthening of public transport and its articulation with active mobility, in a search for mobility efficiency (“High performance mobility scenario”). In conclusion, Andreea Grigorovschi explained the link between the scenarios, the indicator system and the multi-agent model, as well as the type of results expected. The scenarios are subject to a double evaluation. On the one hand, through the GIS parameterisation and the calculation of indicators directly qualifying the imagined mobility systems (walkability, public transport, etc.). And on the other hand, through the multi-agent model developed by LIVE/CNRS which allows the calculation of changes in the behavior of individuals as well as sustainability indicators (pollution, emissions, etc.). Thus, the two exploratory scenarios can be compared with each other, but also with the existing mobility system. The discussion that followed the presentation of the scenarios highlighted the fact that the indicator system can add new perspectives for future mobility development.

The workshop not only allowed the SuMo team to present the work done in the project but also to take a step back from their work and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the indicator system with the participants.

We thank all participants for attending this workshop.

NB: Based on the results of the SuMo project and this workshop, the ENSAS team is preparing a brochure explaining the indicator system and the two applications discussed with the participants. It will soon be published on the project website and sent to all project partners.