2024 Annual POLIS Conference

The Annual POLIS Conference 2024—a joint event by POLIS, Baden-Württemberg, the City of Karlsruhe, and Messe Karlsruhe—will take place on 27-28 November in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

The Annual POLIS Conference is Europe’s leading sustainable urban mobility event, providing an opportunity for cities and regions to showcase their transport achievements to a large audience of mobility experts, practitioners, and decision-makers from both the public and private sectors.

After a record-breaking edition in 2023, the POLIS Team and our Conference hosts and POLIS members Baden-Württemberg and Karlsruhe are glad to welcome you to another fantastic Conference.

PROGRAMME

Our carefully crafted programme is finally available!

We are once again gathering the brightest minds, policymakers, industry leaders, and city and region representatives from all over Europe and beyond to engage in 32 insightful sessions and 2 thought-provoking plenaries. Plus, as part of our conference, our host city is offering a total of 6 site visits, putting the spotlight on Karlsruhe and Baden-Württemberg’s sustainable urban mobility initiatives.

Download the Programme

Site Visits

#1 Transport transition in Karlsruhe: Active mobility in public space

As a city committed to transport transition, Karlsruhe aims to systematically and extensively promote cycling and walking, thus making a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions. By redistributing traffic space, the city will strengthen sustainable transport and improve quality of life. The so called ‘Kombilösung’ of Karlsruhe (Karlsruhe Combined Solution) supports this effort by freeing up above-ground traffic space through tunnels for public transport and cars. Join us on a cycling tour to witness this transformation firsthand.

#transporttransition #cycling

Capacity: 40 (2 groups of 20)
Duration: 3 hours
Final Destination (after the tour): Central Railway Station

#2 ‘Karlsruhe Model’ and ‘Kombilösung’: Experience the tram-train-system and the new underground of Karlsruhe

Established in 1992, the ‘Karlsruhe model’ revolutionised transport by connecting the surroundings with the city centre with a tram-train system. Instead of passengers transferring, the tram/train seamlessly switches system. In 2022, this innovative approach was enhanced with the addition of the newly built underground in the city centre. You can experience both the tram-train system and the underground by riding a historical tram with us!

#tramtrainsystem #publictransport #fromtheregiontothecity

Capacity: 35
Duration: 3 hours
Final Destination (after the tour): Central Railway Station

#3 Visit the new dm-headquarter ‘dialogicum’

Consolidating from seven to one, since the completion of the new company headquarters, 4,100 employees of the Karlsruhe-founded company now work at a single location instead of seven. The ‘dialogicum’ embodies a holistic sustainability concept, featuring a green façade, the use of recycled materials, and prioritising the needs of employees. Join us for a guided tour to learn more about the building and the mobility alternatives available for employees.

#employeemobility

Capacity: 15
Duration: 3 hours
Final Destination (after the tour): Central Railway Station

#4 How to (safely) get 5760 kWh electricity in buses

The Karlsruhe Transport Authority is converting its bus fleet to electric vehicles—a transition that requires the construction of new depots specifically designed for vehicle charging and fire safety. Join us for a guided tour of the new depot to discover the essential features and considerations involved in planning and building an electric bus facility.

#emobility #buses #depot

Capacity: 20
Duration: 3 hours
Final Destination (after the tour): Central Railway Station

#5 On-Demand Mobility with autonomous vehicles in Baden-Württemberg’s Autonomous Driving Test Area

Karlsruhe has a long tradition in mobility innovation, from the invention of the bicycle to the development of the tram-train system. Today, the city is at the forefront of future mobility concepts, particularly the Test Area for Autonomous Driving Baden-Württemberg (in German: Testfeld Autonomes Fahren Baden-Württemberg, or TAF-BW). This cutting-edge site tests novel mobility systems and integrates individual mobility with public transport. A highlight is the multi-modal route planning, which includes autonomous shuttle bus rides for the first and last mile of transport in Karlsruhe.

#autonomousdriving #minibuses

Capacity: 30
Duration: 3 hours
Final Destination (after the tour): Central Railway Station

#6 Football Moves – How to build a new Stadium and get 30,000 fans there

In 2023, the Karlsruhe second league club celebrated the inauguration of the new BBBWildparkstadion with a match against Liverpool. Join us for a guided tour of the stadium, where you will learn about the traffic management plan for match days and the role bicycles play in it.

Please note: currently, the tour is only available in German. We are working to offer it in English, but this cannot be guaranteed.

#football #sustainablearrival

Capacity: 30
Duration: 3 hours
Final Destination (after the tour): Central Railway Station

Travel and accommodations

Wondering how to get to and around Karlsruhe and more?

Our Travel and Accommodation information document, offers you great information on how to get to and around Karlsruhe! For accommodation, we provide you with a list of hotels nearby the venue, as well as in the city centre.

For the updated schedule of the free Conference shuttle available on 26, 27, and 28 November, please click here. Moreover, participants of the Annual POLIS Conference 2024 can use public transport within the Karlsruhe Transport Authority (KVV) network free of charge from 26 November to 29 November.

Download the Conference shuttle schedule

Call for Sponsors & Exhibitors

Do you wish to enhance the visibility of your organisation or initiative through one of our packages?

Our Call for Sponsors and Exhibitors is now available, offering 13 packages designed to elevate brand visibility and engage with key decision-makers.

Do not miss the opportunity to meet 1,000 key stakeholders involved in smart, innovative, and sustainable transport solutions in cities and regions.

Read the Special Terms and Conditions for Sponsors HERE

Become a Sponsor

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FAQ

I have questions about my registration: who should I contact?

For questions about registrations, please contact Alexia at acollignon@polisnetwork.eu.

I would like to receive updates about the Conference in my inbox—who should I reach out to?

To be added to our Conference updates mailing list, please contact Alexia at acollignon@polisnetwork.eu or, alternatively, Alessia at agiorgiutti@polisnetwork.eu.

Meet our host: Baden-Württemberg

Baden-Württemberg, also known as “THE LÄND”, is delighted to be the first region to host the Annual POLIS Conference. As a long-standing member of POLIS, the region will present its ambitious climate targets and measures to foster a connected and socially just mobility.

Besides urban innovations, Baden-Württemberg will highlight the approach Ortsmitte to rural areas and city surroundings!

Meet our co-host: Karlsruhe

Karlsruhe, the co-host of the Annual POLIS Conference 2024 with Baden-Württemberg, is renowned for the ‘Karlsruhe Model,’ featuring a tram-train system, and for boasting a dedicated test area for autonomous driving and strong expertise in digital infrastructure.

The city and POLIS member has also earned a reputation as one of the most bike-friendly cities in Europe and has claimed the title of ‘Car-sharing Capital of Germany.’

Meet Messe Karlsruhe

With four exhibition halls, the all-around glassed-in construction of the Events Hall and the green Atrium of Messe Karlsruhe (the Karlsruhe Trade Fair Centre) offers a bright and friendly atmosphere to showcase products, services, and companies.

Thanks to its versatile array of spaces and award-winning architecture, the Karlsruhe Trade Fair Centre is an ideal venue for the upcoming Annual POLIS Conference!

Do you want to explore the state of Baden-Württemberg and visit other POLIS members during your German stay in November?

As you know, you will be staying in Karlsruhe, our co-host city. However, there are other POLIS members in the area that should get your attention, too. Check them here below:

The host city and co-host of the Annual POLIS Conference 2024, renowned for its distinctive fan-shaped layout, offers a wealth of transport innovations and tourist attractions.

Explore the vibrant Gutenbergplatz market or the Baden State Museum, relax in the Botanical Gardens, or hop on a bike to enjoy Karlsruhe‘s cultural and nature cycling tours. Nearby, you can also ride along the Rhine Cycle Route, Rhine Valley Trail, Black Forest Trail, and Stromberg-Murrtal Cycle Route, ensuring there is plenty to add to your itinerary!

Distance from KARLSRUHE:

45 minutes by train
4 hours and 30 minutes by bike
1 hour and 20 minutes by car

The Stuttgart region stands as the geographical, economic, and political heart of Baden-Württemberg. Renowned for its economic prowess and as the birthplace of the automobile, it hosts numerous global players and innovative medium-sized enterprises.

The area also boasts stunning landscapes along the Neckar River, where industrial hubs are interspersed with forests, meadows, and vineyards. Moreover, Stuttgart is an ideal destination for leisure and sport cycling and is actively working to enhance its bike-friendliness for commuters!

Distance from KARLSRUHE:

40 minutes by train
2 hours and 45 minutes by bike
45 minutes by car

Heidelberg captivates visitors with its blend of historic architecture and scenic natural landscapes, all easily accessible on foot or by bicycle. Indeed, according to the 2018 nationwide survey ‘Mobility in Germany,’ 33% of all journeys in the city are made by bike. Moreover, Heidelberg boasts an extensive network of cycle paths totalling 260 kilometres, making it the cycling leader in Baden-Württemberg—the city aims to enhance its appeal to cyclists even further with its ‘Bicycle Strategy 2030,’ a significant step towards more sustainable mobility.

Beyond its romantic charm and bicycle-friendliness, Heidelberg is an academic powerhouse. It is home to Germany’s oldest university, esteemed institutions, and renowned research centres and companies, showcasing a nexus of knowledge and innovation.