Page 208 - Proceeding 2015

FAMP LECA Iuliana
CCASP A NEW WAY OF STRATEGIC THINKING – BOOSTING SUSTAINABLE URBAN MOBILITY PLANS-
ROMANIAN CASE

2. EUROPEAN CONTEXT

2.1. European important developments in the field of transport and urban mobility

The early discussions and agreements related to a common transport policy it started in 1957, when the
European Economic Community was created (formed by France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, the

Netherlands and Luxembourg). Later on, in 1992 Treaty of Maastricht, further approached the political,
institutional and budgetary foundations for a European Commission transport policy, developing a

mechanism of community funding for the pan-European network. Also in 1992, the EC issued its first
White Paper on the future development of the common transport policy. Between 1995 and 1998, the
European Commission, through some specific initiative (e.g. Citizens Network) developed a first set of

policy proposals in the area of urban mobility. Through this initiative it was underline the importance of
citizen participation in developing strategic document on urban mobility within municipalities.

In 2007 the EC published the Green Paper on Urban Mobility: ‘Towards a new culture for urban

mobility’.16 It set the foundations for a new European agenda for sustainable mobility policy (in which,
eg. legislative initiatives are developed in an integrated, and not fragmented, manner) and invited

stakeholders to a debate on what support the EU should provide, and how best to provide it (eg. how to PROCEEDINGS OF THE 11 TH ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ”Strategic Management for Local Communities” 30 th – 31 st October 2015 Bucharest
achieve optimal European added-value through the effective promotion of best practices)

The importance of adopting a urban mobility plan has been underlined in the EC Transport White Paper
(European Commission, 2011), which emphasizes the importance of “a mixed strategy involving land-use

planning, pricing schemes, efficient public transport services and infrastructure for non-motorised modes
and charging/refuelling of clean vehicles is needed to reduce congestion and emissions”. This White
Paper asks EU states to analyse the possibility of making the urban mobility plans a mandatory approach

for cities of a certain size, according to national standards based on EU Guidelines. It also suggests to
link regional development and cohesion funds to cities and regions that have submitted a current,

independently validated Urban Mobility Performance and Sustainability Audit certificate.

2.2. Why EU states needs a new approach of transport?

In the European Countries, there was an increase in passenger transport demand between 2005 and
2012, although overall it has been stable in recent years. However, national trends varied significantly,

with demand increasing in 23 countries and decreasing in 10. In 2012, the car was the dominant mode of
transport in all countries. Car passenger transport has generally decreased in the last three years (2009

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