How can we create future-oriented mobility in metropolitan regions?

The Centre for Logistics and Traffic will organize another transnational summer school this year which is sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service („Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst“). This year‘s summer school is going to be held online together with the Center for Sustainable Urban Development of the Columbia University (CU) in New York from August 23 to August 28, 2021. The key topic of the summer school is sustainable mobility in metropolitan regions.

Urbanization and rapid economic growth have led to increasing traffic and mobility activities in the past years. This development requires efficient and sustainable mobility and logistics concepts. Globally, developed national economies and metropolitan regions put effort in detaching their economic growth from their greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are still difficulties in decarbonizing the mobility sector. Traffic volume is still seen as an indicator for economic activity and prosperity.

Furthermore, the mobility and logistics sectors are inherently linked to each other and use a variety of similar vehicles and infrastructures. With regard to climatic and social challenges, sustainable supply chains become indispensable. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic proves the significance of intact supply chains. Generally, it is expected that the mobility and logistics sector will offer high quality and inexpensive services in an environment of constantly expanding and overloaded urban systems. However, primarily digital transformation which includes platform economies, causes unprecedented disruptions of existing business models.

Due to the persisting pandemic, the summer school will take place virtually. The target groups are students in their graduate studies (preferably in advanced study semesters or with a potential thesis topic), doctoral candidates and post-docs. The aim of the summer school is to develop innovative and sustainable mobility and logistics solutions for metropolitan regions in close cooperation with the participants from all over the world and the lecturers of the UDE and CU. To achieve this, different perspectives and approaches from several research fields will be taught and applied. It is considered that the created networking groups continue existing beyond the summer school.

During the six-day event, the participants shall develop innovative solutions and concepts regarding sustainable mobility in four different working fields. These include the topics

  • global supply chains and transport systems: sustainable governance in innovative transportation systems,
  • urban mobility and logistics: best and worst practices to transform urban mobility systems – lessons learned,
  • business model innovations in transport and mobility: cross-sector experiences, multi-stakeholder cooperation in innovating the sector,
  • technical solutions to transform the transportation and mobility sector towards more sustainable solutions: technology acceptance by industry and users.

Prior to the practical part of the event, there are going to be engaging lectures held by speakers from UDE, CU and other organizations. Also, an accompanying virtual program is an essential part of this year’s summer school to promote the cultural exchange among the participants.

The language of the event is English, and the participation is free of charge. However, there is a participant limit. Detailed information regarding the program and the registration will follow soon.