Driving urban mobility transition through Cohesion Policy
News
17 September 2025

Driving urban mobility transition through Cohesion Policy

Profile picture for user Luis@urban-initiative.eu
Ruxandra Aelenei - EUI expert
Back
Driving urban mobility transition through Cohesion Policy
As cities face mounting crises, from climate change and rapid urbanisation to rising traffic congestion and growing inequalities, the need for bold, people-centered solutions has never been greater. These challenges intersect to shape how people move in cities and how cities plan for the future. Across Europe’s urban landscapes, mobility is undergoing a profound transformation in response. In this context, the EU Cohesion Policy plays a pivotal role, steering cities towards greener, more inclusive, and better-connected mobility systems.

Urban mobility at crossroads

Cities across Europe are vibrant engines of economic activity, innovation, and social connection. They are places where people live, work and meet – and they are also epicentres of congestion, air pollution, and spatial inequality. Urban mobility sits at the heart of these challenges: how we move affects not only our economy but our daily lives, our access to opportunities.  Efficient and sustainable transport is essential not only for economic growth but also for social cohesion, equal opportunities, and climate action. Urban mobility today faces a multitude of challenges:

  • Congestion and air quality: Motorised transport contributes to gridlock and pollution, they affect people’s health and quality of life.
  • Social inequality and transportation poverty: Disadvantaged communities are often less connected, facing barriers to employment, education, and essential services.
  • Climate change: Every journey by car adds to greenhouse gas emissions, requiring urgent decarbonisation efforts.
  • Technological change: E-bikes, ride-sharing apps and autonomous vehicles bring new possibilities, but also demand adaptive governance and digital infrastructure.

Yet, these challenges are met by a wave of opportunities. Cities can be living laboratories: experimenting with new ideas, shaping innovative mobility solutions, and leading Europe toward  sustainable urban mobility. The European Union actively supports this transition, with an increased focus on sustainability, digitalisation, and social fairness – all essential ingredients for a green, inclusive and safe mobility system. Urban mobility is now an explicit priority within the European Green Deal and an important pillar, albeit less pronounced and less obvious, in the most recent discussions about modernising the Cohesion Policy for the upcoming years and beyond 2027. However, there is an opportunity to seize there as well.

Cohesion policy fuelling the shift to sustainable urban mobility

Established to support balanced development across the European Union, the Cohesion Policy provides both strategic guidance and invaluable funding to transform urban mobility. Through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund, it empowers cities to tackle challenges in an holistic way, prioritising greener, digital, and socially inclusive solutions. In light of the new discussions and recommendations for Member States related to tackling transport poverty, additional funding has been made available through the Social Climate Fund, which is expected to mobilise at least EUR 86.7 billion as of 2026, providing further financial support for structural reforms and sustainable and inclusive mobility.

Cohesion Policy investments in mobility reach both small and large cities, supporting projects that create clean urban transportation infrastructure, improve the rolling stock, implement cycling infrastructure, and enhance digitalisation of the transport system. Over EUR 17 billion in EU funding has been allocated for urban mobility in 2021–27, from different EU funds,  demonstrating the EU’s commitment to making cities more accessible, connected, and innovative.

Beyond funding infrastructure, the Cohesion Policy encourages integrated urban development linking mobility with land use, housing, climate, and social policy. This approach helps cities become more liveable and resilient, while also fostering urban experimentation. Low-emission zones, smart data integration, and shared mobility platforms are examples of pilot projects that reduce risks and accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions, which can be notably supported by the European Urban Initiative (EUI), the main instrument of the Cohesion Policy for cities.

Catalysing change on the ground through EUI support

EUI supports cities with technical, financial, and policy expertise to design, test, and scale transformative urban mobility solutions. A closer look at the EUI-funded projects shows a recurring theme: mobility isn’t just about getting from A to B. It is often linked with other key issues such as quality public space, urban regeneration, tourism, and affordable housing.

Recognising that knowledge is just as essential as funding for urban innovation, EUI provides opportunities for cities to engage directly and learn from one another. Initiatives like the City-to-City Exchange about cycling-friendly urban planning in Östersund, Sweden together with Rovaniemi, Finland, peer-reviews and other knowledge-sharing events, with the EU City Lab on active mobility, organised in Hamburg. Other content, including the report on innovation in urban mobility and the forthcoming results of the capitalisation study on active mobility , is available on Portico.

Urban mobility in focus

Recently, at Cities Forum 2025, a strong theme has emerged from urban practitioners' discussions : multi-level and participatory approaches are essential for successful mobility solutions, alongside a shift toward soft and active mobility.

While progress in sustainable mobility is broadly occurring, cities continue to face challenges such as scaling innovations, balancing mobility with urban liveability, and managing the complexities of data and digitalisation. Cities are eager and have the ability to adopt new solutions, but institutional inertia, restrictive legal frameworks, and funding gaps can stall the wide-scale and rapid transition to a just, clean and sustainable mobility system across Europe.

Looking ahead

Urban mobility remains at the heart of Europe’s social, economic, and environmental future. The Cohesion Policy not only supports cities in achieving their ambitions but also helps shape the frameworks through which cities can reimagine their futures. By fostering innovation, mutual learning and integrated planning, European cities can build mobility systems that are efficient, equitable and resilient in the face of current and future crises. This way, urban mobility will continue to be a powerful vehicle for cohesion and collective progress across Europe.

As the EU prepares for the next programming period, with a modernised Cohesion Policy and the EU agenda for cities, the message for European cities and regions is clear: be bold, experiment, empower people. These words can guide the transition toward a just, green, and sustainable mobility system for all.