14/01/19 - UNDERSTAND (I) - Research papers and websites

This session started with some more theoretical input about design thinking. We also recaptured again the macro-cycle of the process which means doing the micro cycle several times and eventually finding the solution. This shall prevent from deciding on quick solutions and help to first really understand what the problem is, why it is complex and why it needs to be solved. We then jointly decided how we want to continue with the project and set different stages for the remaining sessions.

14.01. UNDERSTAND: define problem and finish personas

15.01. prepare questions for the stakeholders in whole group and decide on focus within small group

18.01. remote session - 1h. present the Qs, and the focus, clarify open questions

23.01. OBSERVE: Langenau (+1h)

24.01. POINT OF VIEW: discuss and analyze the findings / observation. Get together in new teams for Integrationsseminar.

04.02. Discussion with Mrs. Maier about the topics

11.02. IDEATE in new teams for Integrationsseminar

Afterwards we exchanged the information from the articles that each of us prepared for this session. The article I read was about an EU-project that should support the goal to cut transport emissions by 60% by 2050 and to halve the use of conventionally fueled cars in urban transport by 2030. This goal shall be achieved by tackling issues like integrated coordination, institutional cooperation and action plan implementation including joint financing and public investments in low-carbon systems. Therefore, nine strategies and action plans, 22 capacity building sessions, one sump (sustainable uran mobility plan) competence center and six pilot initiatives are spread amongst the partner countries (CR, CZ, HU, PL, DE, IT). Altogether, the main challenges and some new trends (e.g. open data based mobility planning, integrated mobility platforms or implementation of low-carbon technologies including an electric public transport feeder service, a CO2 trip calculator or solar-powered e-bike charging stations) will be reflect. As a pilot project, the urban areas Brno, Koprivnica and Leipzig shall develop plans for integrated low-carb public transportation services. Szeged will focus on company travel plans, while Parma will develop an action plan for multipurpose charging infrastructure for public transport e-services. Having said that, low-carb shall play an integral role in the development of sustainable regional low-carbon mobility plans. Additionally, there will be 3 strategies for a) low-carb mobility planning, b) introducing innovative public transportation services, c) open-data based mobility planning. Further, there will be two training sessions per partner country held across Central Europe on low-carb mobility planning and innovative mobility offers.  

Some of the core ideas of the other articles were the issues of limited resources, the lack of charging stations or that there is no business model innovation so far. Furthermore it was mentioned that sustainable e-mobility will remain a relevant topic (due to ltd resources, urban development) and at the same time that the lithium batteries required for e-mobility have a severe environmental impact. Another important point is that providing access to mobility is crucial. Although there is also a critical attitude towards e-mobility, monitoring and adoptive influencing of traffic gains in relevance.