Goal-oriented research programme

Integrating mobility plans for new buildings into the spatial planning process

Project No.: V5-24028

About the project

A Mobility Plan (MP) is defined under the Integrated Transport Planning Act (ITPA) as "... a document that comprehensively addresses the transport accessibility of a location (e.g. institutions, new buildings, parts of a settlement, recreational areas) or an event (e.g. events, special events or infrastructure works) with the aim of improving the accessibility of the location and changing the travel habits of the users, which is achieved by managing traffic and improving the conditions for sustainable travel modes."

In recent years, a group at the UIRS has developed Guidelines for the preparation of mobility plans for institutions. These are aimed at addressing the accessibility challenges of existing institutions in existing locations. In line with the Guidelines, a number of MNs have been prepared in recent years, both for public institutions such as universities, ministries, municipal administrations, etc., and for businesses. The MNs produced have shown the potentials and limitations of an approach that deals with the challenges of the location of an existing institution and focuses most of the attention on changing the travel behaviour of existing users through soft measures. Based on foreign experience gained from the literature, participation in the largest European project on this topic and experience from the production of MNs in Slovenia, it can be concluded that in order to increase the impact of MNs (especially in terms of changing the travel habits of users towards greater use of sustainable modes of travel), it would be much more effective to prepare them already during the planning of new buildings. This could influence the accessibility of the new development through different transport modes, both by providing better conditions for walking, cycling and public passenger transport, as well as by limiting and moderating car and freight motor traffic and managing parking.

The research project aims to find a way to properly integrate MN for new buildings into spatial and transport planning processes, based on research of existing literature, examples of good practice from abroad and consideration of examples from national practice. We want to define the roles and responsibilities of the state and municipalities in this area, identify the need for amendments and additions to existing legislation, and strengthen the skills to enable all key stakeholders to work together effectively in the preparation of these plans. The foreseen results of the project will provide insights into the possibilities and orientations for the development of this important tool to ensure better integration of spatial and transport planning at national level.
The project is funded by the Slovenian Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation (ARIS), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Slovenia (MNVP) and the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Energy of the Republic of Slovenia (MOPE).

Plan for the implementation of activities

The project started in October 2024 and will run until September 2026.
The activities are divided into the following work packages:

DS 1 Project management

This work package will ensure high quality management and implementation of all planned project activities. The Project Manager will oversee progress and ensure that the project achieves its objectives within the defined time and financial frameworks. He/she will also ensure regular communication and meetings with representatives of the two key ministries.

DS 2 Definition of the scope

The work package will first deal with the definition of key concepts relevant for understanding the approach. Here, the definition of accessibility in different contexts (spatial accessibility, transport accessibility, accessibility of facilities, etc.) and the link to the concept of mobility will play a particular role. The key differences between the MNs for existing establishments and those for new buildings will be identified. The role of MN for new buildings in the context of spatial planning will be explored and clarified.

DS 3 Overview of foreign and domestic cases

This work package will review foreign and domestic practices in the field of integration of spatial and transport planning and evaluate the transferability of foreign practices to Slovenian practice. In particular, it will review the practice of countries with more experience in this field, where the MN mechanism for new buildings is also actively (and successfully) implemented. For the Slovenian examples considered, interviews will be conducted with representatives of municipalities and developers on their past experience with such plans and the challenges involved. Tools suitable for further consideration within the project will be selected.

DS 4 Verification of portability

The work package will test the transferability of the selected tools, identified through examples of good foreign practices, to Slovenian planning practice by means of a planning simulation on a real case of a major new building implemented in recent years in one of the Slovenian municipalities.

DS 5 Preparation of amendments

The work package will provide guidance on the adjustments to legislative procedures, the placement in planning or building permit procedures that would be necessary for the introduction of MN for new buildings and their effective implementation. Guidance for the two key ministries will be discussed and guidance provided on key documents that may affect the effective implementation of the plans. Proposals will be made for adjustments to the content of spatial planning acts and integrated transport strategies and other supporting material that would be required by municipalities/regions to introduce the use of MN for new developments. Links to existing municipal and regional spatial planning acts and municipal and regional integrated transport strategies will be ensured.

DS 6 Guidelines for the preparation of MN for new buildings

The work package will prepare materials to define the preparation process and key contents of the plan, as well as other materials needed for the preparation of high quality MNDs for new buildings. Due to the duration of the project, the materials will be prepared as a report that could serve as a basis for the preparation of a publication (guidance for developers) after testing pilot cases.

DS 7 Dissemination of results
The work package will identify and implement activities to disseminate the results of the project among key stakeholder groups at all levels of planning, in agreement with representatives of the ministries involved.

Results and publications

Publications on the project in professional and scientific publications: