Berlin

Berlin is the capital city of Germany, and one of the sixteen states of Germany. With a population of 3.4 million it is also Germany's largest city.

Berlin's urban transport development plan ("Stadtentwicklungsplan Verkehr") sets the course for a modern mobility policy in Berlin for the coming years. This integrated transport strategy considers the mobility needs of all traffic participants and it provides a policy framework for concrete measures to achieve sustainable mobility.

The city is embarking on an ambitious decarbonisation agenda, seeking to make the city’s buses emissions-free by 2030, replacing 1,600 diesel vehicles with 1,700 electric ones, as well as trialling several projects to reduce emissions via speed reduction. They also hold an air quality monitoring tool where you can view the latest data.

Active travel is also high on the agenda. In 2021, Berlin established a new 'Foot Traffic' Committee, a board that will work to improve pedestrian mobility. It focuses on planning better streets, footpaths and squares, as well as on improving traffic and school route safety. Furthermore, the German Capital has been a frontrunner in establishing new cycling infrastructure during the pandemic- and in record time.

Image credit: Flo Karr

Accessibility and inclusion have been at the heart of this. Berlin has participated in discussions on how young people’s voices can be elevated in the future of sustainable urban mobility and how our future transport systems can cater to their needs and demands. As part of the INDIMO project, the city has helped pilot Universal Design Manual for digital transport services and Universal Language Interface for transport services; as well as developing extensive guidance for the visually impaired.

Image credit: Florian Wehde

It has also been one of the first cities to take a comprehensive approach to inclusion of gender and sexuality. Berlin offers QueerCityPass — a tourist ticket for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer visitors that allows combined access to public transport and worthwhile discounts for queer bars, clubs, cultural events, and sightseeing hotspots. Moreover, the Senate Department for Justice, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination has been actively working in helping and supporting LGBTQIA+ people facing discrimination by providing an effective reporting system for homophobic and transphobic violence in many areas of everyday life — transport included.

Other initiatives, such as the Berliner Register, a website that tracks discriminatory attacks in the city, help with collecting and publishing citizens' reports that can be used by local decision-makers to develop measures and take targeted actions against discrimination and exclusion.

You can find out more on their website or follow them on Twitter or LinkedIn.