Sustainable, Connected, and Safe Mobility: Key to the Future of Cities

Urban mobility is undergoing a significant transformation, facing major challenges such as sustainability, decarbonisation, new generational habits, and shared, multimodal transport. These topics, among others, were discussed on Tuesday at the first University Chairs Meeting on Sustainable Mobility, held at the University of Alicante's City Campus. Organised by the Vectalia Mobility Chair at the University of Alicante, the event brought together institutional representatives, academics, and journalists to debate the current and future challenges of mobility.

Juan Llopis, Director of Institutional Relations and Projects at the University of Alicante (UA), highlighted "the importance of collaboration between the University and the private sector to advance more efficient and sustainable mobility models." Meanwhile, Carlos de Juan, Alicante City Council's Transport Councillor, emphasised "the need to continue promoting public policies that encourage the use of public transport and active mobility." Manuel Ríos, Director General of Transport for the Valencian Government, focused on "the regional strategy for transport transformation." Closing the inauguration, Salvador Ivorra, Vice-Rector for Infrastructure and Sustainability at the University of Alicante, underscored "the role of research in seeking innovative solutions for urban mobility."

One of the most engaging topics of the meeting was the role of the media in disseminating mobility information. In the round table 'The Challenge of Communicating Mobility', moderated by Ezequiel Moltó, Vectalia's Communications Director, specialised journalists discussed the importance of conveying accurate and accessible information about transport and sustainability. Participants included Concha Pastor from Todo Alicante, Mayte Rodríguez from Carril Bus, Carolina Pascual from Diario Información, Miquel González from Alicante Plaza, and Miquel Hernandis from El Español de Alicante.

The participants agreed on the need for more news coverage on mobility, also urging administrations to make an effort in publishing interesting data, such as passenger numbers, transport funding, or details about transport networks.

Additionally, the event provided an opportunity to learn about various university chairs dedicated to sustainable mobility, where their leaders shared their experiences and projects. Moderated by Mauricio Úbeda, Academic Director of the Vectalia Chair, the panel featured Tomás Ruiz from the Transport and Society Chair (Polytechnic University of Valencia), Francisco Alonso from the SEOFER Chair (University of Valencia), Juan José Martínez from the Chair on Intelligent and Sustainable Territories (University of Valencia), Tomás Gómez-Acebo from the Energy Transition Chair (University of Navarra), and Alberto Cillero from the Nos Mueves UPM Transyt - Alsa Chair.

The meeting concluded with remarks from Jorge Olcina, Director of the University of Alicante's City Campus, who emphasised "the importance of continuing to promote debate on sustainable mobility as a key element for the development of our cities." In recent years, more universities have incorporated and created various chairs for reflection and research on this subject. This first University Chairs Meeting on Sustainable Mobility served as an initial starting point to share ideas, experiences, and innovative projects being developed by different universities, and as an academic forum for reflection on the future of transport and urban mobility.