From the eternal blueprint to a common approach

It was good news from the Federal Environment Agency that Germany would be able to achieve the climate targets for 2030. In fact, there are signs that emissions have fallen by almost 64 per cent compared to 1990. This is encouraging - but it is alarmingly clear that the transport sector is currently falling drastically short of its targets, while other sectors are close to achieving them.

The situation is not an easy one. In addition to external crises, political setbacks, such as the judgement on the climate transformation fund and the overturned StvO amendment, have added up. When it comes to public transport, the current focus is no longer on expanding services, but rather on preventing the dismantling of existing ones. And in the meantime, the broad public debate has mostly been mired in trench warfare about the loss of freedom that a change in the modal split in favour of eco-mobility would supposedly mean. It is striking that it has not yet been possible to agree on a common direction across political levels.

So what can a polisMOBILITY conference contribute to further working towards a transport sector that serves the common good? I believe that courageous, cross-sectoral public-private partnerships and encouraging communication are two important levers of the transport transition that we can strengthen with the conference.

Because incredibly exciting things are happening within these not at all trivial challenges and it is worth looking into the details. The crises of our time are calling established roles and business practices into question across the industries associated with the transport sector, while at the same time opening up space for growth. Particularly at the interface between public and private, great things can now be achieved without necessarily causing the economy to shrink. Perhaps we should even say: to prevent this and avoid being left behind in terms of infrastructure.

It is by no means new that people are talking about leaving silos and developing cross-sector, holistic solutions. What is comparatively new, however, is the urgency associated with this. ‘Out of the silos’ is no longer a desirable aspiration that we can fulfil at will at the interfaces of energy, transport and urban development. It has become a necessity that is forcing the industries to transform, because many challenges can only be solved by finding new ways and roles - and must be solved if we do not want to deprive ourselves of our own livelihoods by ‘carrying on as before’.

It is inspiring that there are already many examples that utilise and expand the scope here. Pilot projects illustrate the potential of public-private partnerships, whether it's the feasibility of climate-neutral energy supply for neighbourhoods, sustainable logistics over the last mile or multi- and intermodal mobility. Imagine what would be possible if existing lighthouses could be rolled out across the board! But it is precisely this widespread transfer that is often a laborious step. Even where we know how it could be done - and where we could, because the framework conditions, necessary funding instruments and political agenda setting are already playing their part.

It takes a lot of courage to take big steps in times when uncertainty seems to be a permanent guest. Pioneering work in new business areas, which - if pursued consistently - will jeopardise central business areas for decades, is not an easy management task even in peaceful times. And it is not made any easier by the fact that some corporate cultures even have to be scrutinised if we seriously ask ourselves whether the economy serves the common good. But it seems to me that there is no alternative - and it offers opportunities that are worth enduring the growing pains for. Even if there are always enough good reasons to return to safer ground after pilot projects.

In order to utilise the available room for manoeuvre, we should keep an eye on our mood when it comes to the transport transition. Something has changed here in the last two years: Whereas in 2022 a sense of optimism was still the dominant perceptible framing in the sectors, appeals of urgency are now taking up more space, with frustration increasingly resonating. We need to take this seriously and at the same time ensure that we do not lose faith in the feasibility of change. Because what must not happen under any circumstances is that those who have been working hard for years run out of steam. The coming decades will demand significantly more personal responsibility from us as a society and we are reliant on a shared sense of achievement.

That is why it is more important than ever for the willing to encourage each other and forge alliances. Of course, polisMOBILITY is just an event. It cannot solve the existing challenges operationally. But it can provide a good framework for cross-sector dialogue, a tailwind and inspiration for those who are working towards the transport transition on a daily basis.

We therefore wish all of you who are boldly moving forward with technological innovation, public-private partnerships, municipal transport transition projects and civil society engagement with a clear vision a productive and encouraging exchange. Those who are willing will find ways - let's inspire each other to take the next steps!