Urban mobility for young people directly influences their access to education, jobs, services, and opportunities for personal development. However, in many European cities, young people continue to face challenges that limit the accessibility and quality of their travel experiences. To address these challenges, the NextGenMobility project — Inclusive and Sustainable Urban Mobility for Young People, Based on Perceptions of Mobility Systems — was selected for funding under the DUT Call 2024 and will be implemented from January 2026 through December 2028.

The project aims to contribute to the development of more inclusive and sustainable urban mobility solutions by integrating young people’s perspectives into urban planning and development processes. Thus, NextGenMobility brings to the forefront not only infrastructure and transportation, but also the way young people perceive and experience mobility in their daily lives.

Why is urban mobility important for young people?

In many small and medium-sized European cities, young people face a range of challenges that affect how they get around and interact with the urban environment. These include long commutes, insufficiently integrated transportation options, and a lack of multifunctional public spaces.

These issues affect access to education, jobs, and other essential services. In some cases, they can even contribute to young people’s decision to leave the communities where they live and move to other cities or regions.

Well-developed urban mobility for young people helps increase access to educational, professional, and social opportunities, as well as foster more attractive and inclusive communities.

Beyond Infrastructure

Urban and transportation planning often focuses on the physical aspects of mobility. However, the user experience is also influenced by factors such as safety, autonomy, accessibility, and a sense of inclusion.

NextGenMobility is based on the idea that these aspects are just as important as the infrastructure itself and must be taken into account when developing new mobility policies and solutions.

How can urban mobility for young people be improved?

A defining feature of the project is the active involvement of young people in identifying challenges and formulating solutions. Rather than treating them merely as beneficiaries of the measures implemented, the project treats them as partners in the process of co-creating urban change.

Through this approach, young people will have the opportunity to help develop interventions that better address their actual needs and experiences.

Understanding Perceptions of Mobility

The project aims to analyze how young people perceive mobility systems and how these systems influence their daily activities. The research will take into account both physical access to transportation and services, as well as aspects related to comfort, safety, and social participation.

The results will contribute to the development of solutions tailored to different urban contexts and to the creation of more effective public policies.

The 15-Minute City Concept

One of the project’s central concepts is the 15-minute city, an approach that promotes quick and easy access to essential services, education, jobs, and recreational activities.

Adapting the concept to the needs of young people

NextGenMobility is exploring how this model can be adapted to better meet the needs of young people. The project aims to identify which elements contribute to a positive mobility experience and how they can be integrated into urban planning processes.

Through this approach, the concept of the 15-minute city is analyzed not only from the perspective of distances and infrastructure, but also through the lens of users’ actual experiences. The results will contribute to the development of urban mobility solutions for young people tailored to different urban contexts.

Research and Innovation for the Cities of the Future

To achieve its objectives, the project uses a combination of innovative methods and tools. Activities include applied research, digital modeling of urban data, mobility audits, and co-creation processes.

These activities make it possible to collect and analyze relevant information about how young people use and perceive existing mobility systems.

Testing Solutions in Real-World Contexts

The solutions developed as part of the project will be tested and evaluated in real-world environments. This approach makes it possible to identify the most effective measures and adapt them to different urban contexts.

The experiences and lessons learned will help develop resources and tools that can also be used by other communities interested in developing more inclusive mobility policies.

Benefits for Communities and Young People

The project’s impact extends beyond the realm of urban mobility. By improving access to services and opportunities, NextGenMobility contributes to the development of more attractive and resilient communities.

The intended benefits include:

• the development of more inclusive and accessible urban mobility systems;
• increasing the use of low-carbon transportation options;
• improving young people’s access to education, jobs, and services;
• strengthening youth participation in urban development processes;
• reducing the factors that may contribute to the migration of young people from local communities;
• promoting cities that are more equitable, more resilient, and more forward-looking.

A Step Forward for Urban Mobility for Young People

Through its innovative approach and focus on youth participation, NextGenMobility is helping to develop a new perspective on urban mobility. The project demonstrates that effective urban planning must be based on people’s real experiences and needs.

Through research, collaboration, and co-creation, the initiative will support the development of sustainable and inclusive urban mobility solutions for young people that are capable of addressing the current and future challenges facing European urban communities.