What is a SUMP?

The SUMP (Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan) is a long-term strategy aimed at providing easy access to destinations and services, which also includes an implementation plan.

In line with the European Commission's position expressed in the guidelines for the Development and Implementation of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, the key features of SUMP are:

  • a long-term vision and a clear implementation plan,
  • a participatory approach,
  • balanced and integrated development of all means of transport,
  • horizontal and vertical integration,
  • the evaluation of current and future effectiveness,
  • regular monitoring, reviewing and reporting,
  • the consideration of external costs for all means of transport.

What is mobility?

The concept of mobility is not so much about the transport of people as it is about making destinations accessible. In this way, it is sometimes even possible to dispense with travel and to deal with a particular need locally.

In recent years, the word 'transport' has increasingly been replaced by 'mobility' in some contexts. The introduction of the previously familiar dictionary term 'mobility' into the conceptual apparatus of transport economics arose from a desire to highlight two issues in existing transport systems theory.

The first issue is a greater emphasis on the needs of users of the transport system, related not just to the desire to move, but to the more fundamental need to access specific services as conveniently as possible. This need has long been a cornerstone of transport theory, but at some point began to be understood more as an external determinant than something we actively shape.

The second issue is the increasingly articulated importance of non-motorised modes to meet these needs - in the face of the increasing dominance and popularity of motoring, but also the growing problems associated with it, including environmental issues, adaptation and climate change prevention.

What are the main objectives of the mobility plan?

  • providing all citizens with transport options that enable access to travel destinations and services,
  • improving safety,
  • contributing to the reduction of air and noise pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption,
  • improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of passenger and freight transport,
  • having a positive impact on the attractiveness and quality of the urban environment for the benefit of residents, the economy and the community.

The main benefits for BFA residents from the implementation of the SUMP are:

  • Improved mobility and accessibility of the BFA - planning aimed at sustainable transport and mobility will result in an optimal improvement of the situation of BFA residents in terms of their mobility, which will facilitate access to all urban areas and services offered there;
  • Increased competitiveness of BFA and access to funding - the BFA SUMP has the potential to give BFA an advantage in accessing funding, particularly from the EU, for innovative solutions;
  • Higher quality of life in the BFA - the BFA SUMP means planning for people rather than, for example, cars and traffic. It carries an emotive message, for example in terms of creating higher quality public spaces or providing a higher level of safety for children;
  • Improving the safety level of BFA residents - reducing the risk of accidents for unprotected transport users as well as improving transport infrastructure;
  • Environmental and health benefits for BFA residents - measures to improve air quality, reduce noise and limit climate change will lead to positive health effects and significant savings in health costs;
  • Decisions supported by stakeholders and BFA residents - planning for the people means planning with the people. By involving citizens and other stakeholders, decisions for or against implemented solutions can gain significant levels of 'public approval';
  • New strategic vision, the potential for BFA integration - the BFA SUMP will offer long-term and strategic action plans, improving the culture of effective planning aimed at integrating policies, institutions, citizens, the city and its functional area.

Contact

Office of the Board of the Association of Bialystok Functional Area

ul. Mickiewicza 74 lok. 6 
15-427 Białystok
tel./fax  85 661 15 38