Cities are no longer just testing mobility innovation — they are shaping Europe’s deployment agenda.

Across Europe, public authorities are moving from pilots to permanent solutions, balancing legacy systems with the pressure to deliver scalable, people-centred mobility. As cities take on a stronger leadership role, one question matters most: how do we turn innovation into long-term impact at city scale?

On 11 February 2026, The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast, in collaboration with ERTICO - ITS Europe, hosted a live webinar contributing to the wider conversation shaping the 17th ITS Congresses European Congress in Istanbul and its growing focus on public-sector leadership.

This city-driven discussion brought together three leading voices in European urban mobility:🎤 Tamara Djukic, PhD, Head of Green & Urban Mobility, ERTICO - ITS Europe

🎤 Tina Wagner, Director-General for Transport, Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg

🎤 Karen Vancluysen, Secretary General, POLIS network

Together, they explored how European cities are positioning themselves as living mobility labs — and why sustained engagement, beyond individual pilots or events, is essential to achieve real deployment and lasting impact.

What we explored included:

✅ Why cities are at a turning point for mobility delivery

✅ How long-term European collaboration builds trust and continuity

✅ Moving from research and pilots to deployment at city scale

✅ Why the ITS European Congress matters for public authorities

✅ What Istanbul represents as a living mobility lab for Europe and beyond

Safer Streets. Smarter Cities. Better Lives. 🌍

Traffic fatalities and serious injuries are not inevitable — they’re preventable. The global #VisionZero movement is transforming how we plan, design, and manage transportation systems to put people first and prioritize life and well-being.

I recently contributed a guest post for PTV Group, exploring how Vision Zero is driving the journey toward zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries — and how cities around the world are reimagining safety through design, policy, and innovation. 👉 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/ehvDAAZU

As part of Umovity — uniting PTV Group and Econolite — we’re helping cities make data-driven decisions that lead to safer, more sustainable, and people-centered mobility networks.

We dive deeper into how Vision Zero is being put into practice globally, featuring insights from leading experts:

🎙️ Speakers:

Snehasis "Sunny" Chakravarty “Sunny” Chakravarty – Vice President, Engineering, Econolite

Michael Kent – Policy Director, Chicago Department of Transportation

Hagen Schueller – Traffic Safety Expert, PTV Transport Consult

✅ Real-world examples of Vision Zero in action

✅ Strategies to embed safety into every level of transport planning

✅ How data and innovation are accelerating progress toward zero fatalities

And if you haven’t yet, tune in to The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast for more expert insights on the future of urban mobility: https://lnkd.in/d6HAa3kx

We’re thrilled to share the latest episode of the #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast, featuring Michael Oliver, Technical Director at PTV Group. 🌍

🎙 Episode Topic: Shaping Transport with Digital Twins

Digital twins are transforming the way cities plan, operate, and optimize their transport systems. In this episode, Michael dives into how this cutting-edge technology is driving smarter, more resilient, and sustainable urban mobility solutions.

Michael shares actionable insights including:

✅ How digital twins are revolutionizing transport planning and operations

✅ Strategies for building smarter and more resilient urban mobility systems

✅ Lessons learned from real-world applications of digital twin technology

Whether you’re a transport professional, urban planner, or just curious about the future of cities, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

#DigitalTwins #SmartCities #UrbanMobility #TransportInnovation #ResilientCities #FutureOfMobility #SustainableCities #CityPlanning #UrbanInnovation #CitiesFirst #Podcast

Urban resilience isn’t optional—it’s essential. As climate change, rapid growth, and aging infrastructure reshape our cities, the question isn’t if we should build resilience—it’s how.

Join us for The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast LinkedIn Live webinar, in partnership with PTV Group and Econolite🎙

Designing Resilient Cities: Strategies for a Future-Ready Urban World📅 Wednesday, September 10 | 🕒 3 PM GMT+1 | 📍 LinkedIn Live

Hear from global leaders:

👤 Ida Sami, PhD – CEO & Founder, ClimateNXT

👤 Matthias Pfriem – Senior Product Manager, PTV Group

👤 Mike Dang, M.S. – Product Manager, NEMA, Econolite

We’ll cover:

✅ Defining resilient cities

✅ How smarter mobility protects communities

✅ Lessons from global innovators

✅ Why collaboration is the cornerstone of resilience

🚨 Join Us LIVE — Data & AI in Urban Mobility

📅 Thursday, August 28

🕔 4:30 PM GMT+1

📍 LinkedIn Live How can cities harness data and AI to build smarter, more accessible, and more efficient transport networks?

EIT Urban Mobility - Urban Mobility Explained (UMX) invites you to a special LinkedIn Live webinar in collaboration with The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast. We’ll hear from city leaders and innovators shaping the future of urban mobility.

🎙️ Rob Lloyd — Chief Technology Officer & Director of Information Technology, City of Seattle

🎙️ Kameale C. Terry — CEO, ChargerHelp!

🎙️ Jason Cambridge — Technology Manager, City of Seattle

🔍 Discussion Topics:

✅ How mobility data—from people, vehicles, and infrastructure—is transforming urban transport planning

✅ Emerging AI tools to improve accessibility, equity, safety, and efficiency

✅ Real-world examples from Seattle and beyond

🎧 Warm up for the session by tuning into The CitiesFirst Podcast:

Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dyRjqbvM

Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/dnWCxvkh

RSS.com : https://lnkd.in/d6HAa3kx

🎓 Want to go deeper? Enroll in the free UMX course “Data & AI in Mobility” to explore how cities can leverage emerging technologies:

https://lnkd.in/dsKw5iYa

EIT Urban Mobility - Urban Mobility Explained (UMX) invites you to a special LinkedIn Live webinar in collaboration with The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast. We’ll hear from city leaders and innovators shaping the next wave of urban transport.

🎙️ Julie White — Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation, NCDOT

🎙️ Venkatesh Gopal — CEO, movmi

🎙️ Darius Mason — Shared Mobility Specialist, City of Detroit

🔍 Discussion Topics:

✅ The evolving role of shared micromobility in urban systems

✅ Policy, equity, and public-private collaboration

✅ Real-world insights from Detroit, North Carolina & beyond

✅ What’s next in micromobility innovation and integration

🎧 Warm up for the session by tuning into The CitiesFirst Podcast:

Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dYv5GyGn

Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/dnWCxvkh

RSS.com : https://lnkd.in/d6HAa3kx

🎓 Want to go deeper? Enroll in the free UMX course “Micromobility & Cities” to explore how cities can effectively integrate small vehicles into their transportation mix:

https://lnkd.in/dnf5hxi2

#Micromobility #SharedMobility #UrbanMobility #SmartCities #SustainableTransport #MobilityInnovation #PublicTransport #CitiesFirst #EITUrbanMobility #UMX

How will autonomous vehicles shape the cities of tomorrow?

EIT Urban Mobility - Urban Mobility Explained (UMX) is proud to sponsor an exclusive LinkedIn Live webinar in partnership with The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast. We’ll explore the evolving landscape of hashtag#AVs, shared mobility, electrification, and public policy with three visionary leaders driving change:

🎙️ Henriette Cornet, CEO at Urban Innovate

🎙️ Sascha Meyer, CEO at MOIA

🎙️ Javier Guimerá Tena, Head of AV at Padam Mobility

🔍 Agenda:

✅ What role will AVs play in the future of sustainable urban transport?

✅ Lessons learned from pilot programs and operational deployments

✅ Intermodality and integrating AVs into existing mobility ecosystems

✅ The role of public-private partnerships in shaping AV adoption

✅ Equity, accessibility, and citizen engagement

✅ What’s next: Policy, innovation, and the road to scale

Peter Schenkman, COO of Fernhay Solutions is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the transportation industry. As a former senior transportation commissioner in City of New York, he has been at the forefront of sustainable mobility conversations worldwide. His achievements include championing electric vehicles (EVs), zero-emission buses (ZEBs), and micro-mobility solutions. Peter has played pivotal roles in EV startups, launching light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and micro-mobility fleets. He excels in fleet optimization, last-mile delivery, and connected vehicles, and advocates for ADA compliance and inclusive transportation solutions. 🚶♀️🛴🚘

Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which will is all about micro-deliveries, light electric vehicles (LEVs) and last mile logistics: 👇👇👇

✅How has your experience as a New York City transportation commissioner informed your view of logistics and micro-deliveries

✅Describe how LEVs and cargo bike deliveries are a necessary part of last mile policy

✅What are some of the winning form factors in LEV and cargo bike design

✅How can cities work with LEV OEMs and operators to better coordinate last mile delivery

✅Tell us about your favorite micro-delivery hub in New York City, and what makes it special

Be sure to also register in the UMX Sustainable Urban Logistics Course: 💻 👇https://lnkd.in/dXRRa3Ny

David Smith, is currently the Complete Streets Director at the Chicago Department of Transportation overseeing the planning and design of infrastructure projects and policy development. David is responsible for the implementation of our citywide bicycle network, pedestrian safety improvements, and developing policies to improve mobility for all Chicagoans. Vision Zero Chicago team leader working with City agencies, advocacy organizations, and community groups to reduce crashes and eliminate traffic fatalities. David brings experience from previous roles at TYLin and City of Highland Park. David holds a Master's in Urban Planning and Public Policy in Economic Development / Transportation from the University of Illinois at Chicago - Graduate College. 🚶♀️🛴🚘

Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about complete streets in Chicago: 👇👇👇

✅How has Chicago successfully expanded its bike lane network since the pandemic?

✅Describe how tactical urbanism programs are helping to strengthen Chicago´s communities

✅What are some of the key elements of complete streets being implemented in Chicago

✅How can complete streets better integrate and promote use of public transit?

✅Tell us about your favorite complete streets project in Chicago, and what makes it special?

Be sure to also register in the UMX Designing a Livable Neighbourhood: The Woonerf Concept Course: 💻 👇

https://urbanmobilitycourses.eu/courses/designing-a-livable-neighbourhood-the-woonerf-concept/?utm_source=cities_first&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=citiest1st_livingstreets_woon

Dr Kristina Gaučė has over 17 years’ experience in mobility/transport analysis and urban transport policy making, starting with the European Commission project STEP by STEP in 2003, following with transport development feasibility studies, participation in European projects (MAX, EPOMM-PLUS, ENDURANCE, EVIDENCE, numerous Interreg and UNDP projects and initiatives), representing these projects in Lithuania and EU conferences, presenting good practise and advising on transport policy to the local authorities, was involved in Guidelines on Developing and Implementing a Sustainable Urban Mobility plan and etc. Currently Dr Kristina Gaučė acts as the social partner/adviser on urban transport policy to Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Vilnius City Municipality and local public transport operators. 🚶♀️🛴🚘

Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about SUMPs in Europe: 👇👇👇

✅Why is sustainable urban mobility planning important and what are the differences from traditional approaches?

✅Describe the main ingredients for developing and implementing SUMPs

✅Tell us about your leadership in implementing SUMPs in Lithuania and across Europe

✅What is needed to engage stakeholders and citizens?

✅What are some lessons learned from SUMP implementation?

Be sure to also register in the UMX Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) Course: 💻 👇

https://lnkd.in/dWQQ3crZ