Czech BCSD se prostřednictvím Petra Dovolila, víceprezidenta, prezentovalo a moderovalo první panel na 5. ročníku konference City Changers 2026, který se uskutečnil dne 11.3.2026 v budově Českého institutu informatiky, robotiky a kybernetiky (CIIRC) ČVUT v Praze, viz konference2026.citychangers.eu. Akce pořádaná Partnerstvím pro městskou mobilitu navázala na aktivity pracovní skupiny Čistá mobilita při Czech BCSD. Do konce roku 2027 musí podle Evropské unie 10 českých měst zpracovat nové plány udržitelné městské mobility pro svá spádová území. Jsou ale plány, kterými města splní formální požadavky, dostatečné? Bude se lidem v takových městech lépe žít?

Prague, March 16, 2026 – According to the European Union, 10 Czech cities must develop new sustainable urban mobility plans for their catchment areas by the end of 2027. But are plans that merely meet formal requirements sufficient? Will people in such cities have a better quality of life? The Partnership for Urban Mobility, z. s., along with six other organizations, is lending a helping hand to these cities. Its goal is to provide long-term support to Czech municipalities in creating good, safe, and comfortable cities where people can live well.

According to an Ipsos survey, the most significant problem people in cities and towns face is parking. The lack of parking spaces was the biggest problem for nearly a third of respondents—which is more people than those concerned about the lack of access to doctors and healthcare services or the high cost of housing (both of which were less than 20%).

“The demand for parking far exceeds the capacity of our streets and squares. And yet we are capable of effectively managing and regulating parking. All it takes is to park your car a little further away so it doesn’t get in anyone’s way,” points out Petr Horský of the Czech Parking Association.

The solution to the shortage of parking spaces may lie in the creation of new urban mobility plans, which goes hand in hand with Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 on the EU’s main guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network.

According to this regulation, selected Czech cities that serve as major transport hubs (Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Plzeň, Olomouc, Pardubice, Hradec Králové, Ústí nad Labem, České Budějovice, and Liberec), so-called Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) must be developed and approved by the end of 2027 for the entire functional urban area. These plans therefore cover not only the territory of the city itself but also its surrounding agglomerations.

“While Germany and Austria are preparing to create a solid plan by 2028, in the Czech Republic we’re still treading water at the starting line. We’re in a situation where we’ll meet the formal requirements, but we’ll be praying that it’s enough to secure subsidies. Will it be enough for these changes to have a real impact and make life in cities better? “Will this solve problems like parking?” wonders Jaroslav Martinek, executive director of the Partnership for Urban Mobility, who believes the regulation could be an opportunity to help us solve the problem.

It is precisely the Partnership for Urban Mobility, together with six other organizations, that has decided to lend a helping hand to Czech cities and municipalities.

“Solving mobility is a relatively complex problem. It requires cooperation between cities, municipalities, regions, the state, the corporate sector, infrastructure owners and managers, and academics. But most importantly, we must not forget the human factor,” notes Miroslav Svítek from the newly established National Center for Transport 4.0 at the Czech Technical University in Prague.

Seven organizations (Partnership for Urban Mobility, Vision 0 Platform, Active Czechia Foundation, O2 Czech Republic, Czech Smart City Cluster, the Czech Parking Association, and the Czech Business Council for Sustainable Development) have joined forces with the goal of uniting all stakeholders interested in making transportation accessible, safe, comfortable, resilient, and of high quality for life, while also attractive for investment. The organizations draw on examples of best practices from the Czech Republic and abroad, as well as a broad network of experts.

However, without an active approach, cooperation, and coordination among Czech cities, municipalities, and regions—as the primary organizers of public transportation in the region—change may not be possible. “What good would information and examples of best practices be if the city didn’t put a little of its heart into it and create its own plans tailored to its local conditions and specific needs?” asks Jaroslav Vymazal, chairman of the Partnership for Urban Mobility association, who believes that cities should lead by example and start the change within themselves.

The current approach, based on outdated generic plans from the 2015–2020 period, also hinders the effective use of solutions already available on today’s market. “Startups and innovative companies are introducing technologies and services that are sparking small revolutions and sometimes completely overturning our established notions of transportation. Plans and individual solutions, however, function as interconnected vessels. Cities and regions that recognize the potential of new technologies thereby take their planning capabilities to a new level. At the same time, however, the existence of a modern and forward-looking plan creates the necessary framework for innovations to be meaningfully and systematically put into practice,” explains Miroslav Scheiner, the Minister of Industry and Trade’s representative for Smart Cities.

The application of smart solutions also enables further investment in industrial and business transformation. “Where this is neglected or underestimated, prosperity and good jobs will not be created. It is necessary to reduce uncertainty and clearly demonstrate where cities want to go with transportation and mobility, thereby gaining the trust of the real economy. It will pay off for them,” emphasizes Petr Dovolil of the Czech Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Modern transportation is key to this. “It is a combination of individual motorized transport, walking, cycling, and, of course, modern public transportation,” describes Roman Budský from the VIZE 0 Platform.

The Partnership for Urban Mobility association sought inspiration for its implementation in the fall of 2025 at conferences in Vilnius and Barcelona. The conferences yielded examples of best practices, which the association presented at its General Assembly and which can also serve as inspiration—they include modern approaches that enable cities to fulfill their role as key players in sustainable, efficient, and multimodal transportation.

The minimalist version of sustainable urban mobility plans for 10 selected Czech cities, proposed by the Ministry of Transport, does not yet reflect these new approaches. “Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an improvement in the quality of life in Czech cities, a solution to parking problems, or the acquisition of subsidies. We are competing with countries that take this very seriously and work with modern

solutions. If we want to have a chance to succeed against them, we must change our approach,” says Tomáš Kantor from the National Center for Transport 4.0

This path is more demanding and complex, but it will have a greater impact. “In addition to having a better chance of securing funding from the European Union, this will also lead to more significant changes and improve people’s quality of life. It won’t just be a plan for the sake of a plan, but a well-thought-out, shared roadmap for change agreed upon by all key stakeholders, which will bring us truly positive results with tangible impacts,” adds Jaroslav Vymazal.

 

About the Partnership for Urban Mobility Association

The Partnership for Urban Mobility Association helps cities improve transportation and public spaces. The association brings together cities, regions, and experts, and promotes walking, cycling, and public transportation as healthier and more sustainable ways to get around the city. It connects Czech and European cities, shares best practices, educates, and helps implement modern transportation solutions. For more information, visit: www.dobramesta.cz