Mobility Hubs
for sustainable urban development
for sustainable urban development
Mobility transition and transport concepts
Will multi-storey car parks still matter in the cities of the future? The answer is a resounding yes. Multi-storey car parks are evolving into environmentally friendly mobility and service hubs, playing a key role in advancing the mobility transition.
Road traffic currently accounts for around a fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union 1. To meet the Green Deal’s objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, it is essential to establish the prerequisites for the lowest possible emissions in mobility. Prof. Dr. Peter König, Head of Transport and Technology at ADAC Mittelrhein, highlights the significance of holistic parking solutions in this context: “Parking is a crucial factor in urban mobility and, as such, it requires a holistic approach 2.“
The challenges ahead are substantial, requiring towns and cities to speed up the mobility transition while improving people’s quality of life. What will mobility look like in the future? What opportunities can we make the most of right now?
MSCP Construction: Challenges and opportunities
The following best practices show how leading municipalities are embracing the mobility transition.
1/4 Best practice
- Utrecht is regarded as one of the leading cities in sustainable urban mobility in Europe. The city focuses on creating a healthy, liveable and accessible environment and aims to be climate-neutral by 2030. Mobility plays a key role in achieving this. Its policy is geared towards reducing car use, promoting cycling and public transport, and enabling zero-emission mobility.¹ ²
- The city centre is gradually being transformed into a low-car zone. Parking is increasingly being shifted to mobility hubs and park-and-ride (P+R) facilities on the outskirts, freeing up space for green areas, public amenities and cycling infrastructure. At Utrecht Central Station, the world’s largest bicycle parking facility has been realised, serving as a strong example of investment in sustainable mobility.³
In new urban developments, such as Merwede, significantly reduced parking standards are applied. Residents make use of shared mobility and centralised parking facilities. Mobility thus becomes an integral part of spatial and urban development.⁴
- 01Mobility strategies
- 02Intermodality
- 03Digital networking
- 04Repurposing of public space
- 05Sustainability
- 06Sustainable forms of mobility
The potential of each mobility solution is limited when considered in isolation. Public transport has yet to significantly reduce private car use as a viable alternative, particularly in smaller communities. While on-demand transport offers great potential with its flexibility, it has not yet hit the tipping point for widespread use. One of the biggest opportunities for improving the service lies in the development of autonomous driving, although it is unlikely that we will see a breakthrough in this area for a few more years. Cities and municipalities need a comprehensive and practical mobility solution that they can put into action today, prioritising sustainability, cost efficiency, and punctuality.
If we want to drive the mobility transition forward, we have to optimise our existing resources and, above all, ensure they are more effectively linked. This is where mobility hubs come in: central transport facilities designed to enable smooth transitions from one mode to another, featuring flexible use concepts, high comfort and a range of additional services. These notably include the ability to book parking spaces and other mobility services, access to Wi-Fi, and the availability of charging infrastructure. As a result, society can count on less environmental impact, fewer traffic jams and lower levels of noise pollution for more attractive public spaces all round.
Mobility hubs achieve their full potential when they are part of an integrated network. They are used in urban centres, on city outskirts, and within neighbourhoods to connect urban and rural areas. Depending on the local context, four effective concepts can be defined.
Transit hub: Located on the outskirts and along arterial roads to facilitate transfers to local and long-distance transport, bridging urban and rural areas.
- Neighbourhood hub: Available in urban residential and commercial areas, offering spaces for neighbourhood parking, bicycles and shared mobility to enhance the overall appeal of the neighbourhood.
City hub: In a central urban location with multiple public transport and shared mobility connections to make city centres more attractive.
Mini hub: Located in city centres and suburbs and equipped with easy public transport connections to enhance inner-city connectivity.
Mobility Hubs
We make mobility possible
For over 50 years, GOLDBECK has been delivering future-oriented properties ranging from multi-storey car parks to residential and school buildings. We continuously invest our expertise in planning, construction and operation into new solutions for vibrant cities and neighbourhoods. The future of mobility is unfolding right now – and we’re the ones making it happen. Fuelled by our passion for innovation and pioneering spirit, we love to challenge the status quo. We embrace emerging trends with confidence while staying firmly grounded in the present. Working closely with you, we create the perfect mobility solutions to suit your needs, ensuring maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness every step of the way. Setting the standard for tomorrow’s world.
Are you interested in more information about mobility hubs?
We will be pleased to inform you.
