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Building a Collaborative Network of Researchers

Summary

TRANSFORM, a collaborative network of top-tier European university researchers, tackles the complex challenge of the transformation of urban mobility. Recognizing that daily mobility is shaped by individual choices, routines, and cultural norms, while policymakers implement transformative practices like superblocks and Mobility-as-a-Service, TRANSFORM explores the crucial link between these structural changes and the resulting urban mobility cultures. These cultures, varying across cities and regions, impact sustainability goals. Through 13 parallel doctoral theses, the network investigates how and to what extent these transformative practices trigger effective transitions in urban mobility cultures and their socio-spatial effects.

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Theoretical Approaches & Conceptualization

Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
Denmark

The Role of Transport Policies and Technologies in Shaping Urban Mobility Cultures: a Machine Learning Approach

This PhD thesis objective is to map and obtain a better understanding of the role of transport policies and technologies in shaping urban mobility cultures and mobility transitions across Europe. For this, European cities will be clustered with open data (demographic indicators, transport infrastructure and land use), and key urban feature changes will be related. Also, transport policies and technologies will be investigated in its contribution to the transition of urban mobility culture.

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Application Deadline :
May 31, 2025
Status :
Open

Theoretical Approaches & Conceptualization

Madrid, Spain
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Spain

Shaping Mobility Transitions: Rebuilding the Concept of Urban Space

This doctoral thesis aims to advance the understanding of the role of urban space in driving mobility transitions. By integrating urban planning and mobility studies, the thesis will focus on exploring the origins and trajectories of various sustainable mobility models, examining how they co-evolve with urban planning practices to (re)shape our cities. Key examples –such as superblocks, the 15-minute city, and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)– will be used and assessed across a series of European contexts to illustrate this dynamic and complex process. Ultimately, the thesis will develop a groundbreaking conceptual framework to explain how urban space can serve as a catalyst for mobility transitions. This framework will provide policymakers and practitioners with strategic tools for designing more inclusive, resilient, and efficient mobility systems, helping to redefine the cities of the future. As part of the training programme, the doctoral candidate will collaborate with leading European institutions via secondments, benefiting from interdisciplinary exchange and extending the thesis’s impact within the TRANSFORM network.

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Application Deadline :
May 15, 2025
Status :
Open

Theoretical Approaches & Conceptualization

Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
Denmark

The Role of Song Lyrics in Shaping Urban Mobility Cultures and Related Transitions: A NLP Approach

The aim of this research is to gain a deeper understanding of the role that music and lyrics play in shaping urban mobility cultures and promoting sustainable mobility transitions. The study will use Natural Language Processing (NLP) and qualitative analysis to explore how different transport modes and urban forms are represented in song lyrics, considering factors such as language, region, and music genre. Furthermore, the research will examine the role that music plays in influencing mobility cultures and driving related transitions, offering insights into how music can contribute to shaping societal perceptions of urban mobility.

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Application Deadline :
May 31, 2025
Status :
Open

Urban Spatial Dimension

Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
LISER – University of Luxembourg
Luxembourg

Beyond the Concept of Spatial Accessibility: Conceptualizing and Implementing ‘Hybrid Accessibility’ Measures to Achieve Sustainable Mobility Transitions in Different Mobility Cultures

The primary goal of this thesis is to establish a conceptual framework that integrates ‘digital accessibility’ within ‘physical accessibility’ measures, resulting in a concept referred to as “hybrid accessibility.” To achieve this aim, the first step is to understand the role of both physical and digital accessibility in people’s daily activities and mobility. Building on this understanding, the second step is to operationalize ‘hybrid accessibility’ as a person-based accessibility measure. Finally, the third step involves testing the usability of hybrid accessibility with practitioners.

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Application Deadline :
Status :
Forthcoming

Urban Spatial Dimension

Zaragoza, Spain
Zaragoza Logistics Center – Universidad de Zaragoza
Spain

Navigating Sustainable Mobility Transitions: The Role of Multimodal Perceived Accessibility

This PhD project focuses on understanding people’s subjective valuations of multimodal travel and activities to support more inclusive and sustainable mobility planning. The research aims to develop a conceptual-practical framework for evaluating and estimating perceived multimodal accessibility across various modes, including active travel, private motorized transport, and public transit. Additionally, it will implement visual-mapping strategies to effectively represent perceived accessibility and collaborate with practitioners and stakeholders to integrate these perceptions into real-world land use and transport planning practices. The expected outcomes include a robust framework for incorporating perceived accessibility into planning processes and user-friendly visual tools to aid planners, geographers, civil engineers, and architects in designing sustainable and accessible urban environments.

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Application Deadline :
Status :
Open

Urban Spatial Dimension

Madrid, Spain
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Spain

Conceptualizing and Assessing “Transitional Urban Spaces” through Virtual Reality Experiments

This doctoral thesis will develop and evaluate the concept of “transitional urban spaces” using virtual reality (VR) techniques and examine real-world initiatives such as tactical urbanism, local-scale experiments, and urban laboratories. It will then bring these spaces to life in immersive virtual environments, allowing policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders to experience and evaluate their capacity to trigger urban mobility transitions. This research uses cutting-edge software like CityEngine, Blender, and Unity to transform cadastral data into dynamic 3D models, creating future urban scenarios across various European case studies. As a result, this thesis will develop a groundbreaking theory on the identification and role of “transitional urban spaces” for mobility transitions, providing policymakers and practitioners with innovative tools to design actions that activate transitions towards urban mobility systems more inclusive, resilient, and efficient. As part of the training programme, the doctoral candidate will collaborate with leading European institutions via secondments, benefiting from interdisciplinary exchange and extending the thesis’s impact within the TRANSFORM network.

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Application Deadline :
May 15, 2025
Status :
Open

Social Dimension

Vienna, Austria
BOKU University
Austria

The Roles of Unique Generational Values against Transformative Practices

The primary goal of this thesis is to evaluate the roles of unique generational values in relation to transformative practices. To achieve this, the first step is to identify changes in values and lifestyles, or the “idea of life,” within society as one contributing factor among others. Building upon this, the second step involves contrasting differences across various groups within society, such as older people, children, and young people. Finally, the third step is to analyse the connection between generational values and adoption/adaptation strategies. To collect primary data, a mixed-methods approach will be deployed within the Vienna metropolitan area. This approach will target both the general population and vulnerable population groups, including the young and elderly.

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Application Deadline :
June 17, 2025
Status :
Open

Social Dimension

Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
LISER – University of Luxembourg
Luxembourg

Socio-Spatial Differences in People’s Experiences and Their Attachment to Mobility Cultures: A Cross-border Approach

The primary goal of this thesis is to formulate the concept of ‘accessibility biographies’ as a means to evaluate attachment to mobility cultures. To achieve this, the first step is to develop a conceptual framework that links ‘accessibility biographies’ to mobility culture attachment. Building on this framework, the second step is to analyze how people with different levels of attachment and accessibility biographies experience and perform in public spaces in cross-border areas, using sensor-based measurements such as GPS, sound recordings, and physiological sensors. Finally, the third step is to understand the willingness to change mobility behaviors based on the concepts of accessibility biographies and attachment, in order to facilitate sustainable transitions in mobility.

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Application Deadline :
Status :
Forthcoming

Social Dimension

Dortmund, Germany
ILS Research gGmbH
Germany

Spatial and Temporal Constraints and Opportunities through Reflections of Interactions between Travel Behaviours and Urban Transformations

The primary goal of this thesis is to propose and evaluate “transitional urban spaces” (e.g., street space redistribution, car-reduced neighborhoods) and temporal interventions (e.g., speed limits, parking restrictions, congestion charges) for sustainable mobility. This will be achieved by examining ongoing experiments and implementations of transformative policies and applying them to different mobility cultures and case studies. To accomplish this, the first step is to develop the concept of “transitional urban spaces” and identify ongoing urban experiments, such as tactical urbanism, local-scale initiatives, and urban labs. Building on this foundation, the second step involves integrating elements of “transitional urban spaces” into living labs and testing their transformative potential in collaboration with policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders. Finally, the third step focuses on identifying the impact of spatial and temporal interventions on people’s travel behaviour and decision-making processes. This will be investigated through a quantitative survey conducted in Dortmund (N=600), employing choice and regression modeling techniques.

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Application Deadline :
Status :
Forthcoming

Governance Structure

Frankfurt, Germany
Goethe-Universität
Germany

The Acceptability of New Policies and Social Innovations for the Transformation of Urban Transport

The primary objective of this thesis is to analyse the acceptability of new policies among the local population. To achieve this, the first step of the research is to identify policies that have either been successfully implemented or actively advocated by stakeholders for the transformation of urban transport. Building on this, the second step involves analysing local residents’ perceptions, as well as their support for or resistance to changes in their local environment. This will be assessed through a quantitative survey conducted across four case studies (N ≥ 800). Finally, the third step is to derive conclusions for the design of future policies by engaging stakeholders in a dedicated workshop, ensuring that findings are translated into actionable insights for urban policy and planning.

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Application Deadline :
May 2, 2025
Status :
Open

Governance Structure

Brussels, Belgium
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Belgium

The New Governance of Urban Transformations and Mobility. An International Comparison Focusing on Non-governmental Initiatives

The primary objective of this thesis is to analyse urban transformations by examining the involvement of non-governmental initiatives across six case studies: Brussels (Belgium), Copenhagen (Denmark), Frankfurt (Germany), Luxembourg (Luxembourg), Madrid (Spain), and Vienna (Austria). To achieve this, the first step is to assess why mobility campaigns have been implemented and evaluate their success. Building on this, the second step focuses on determining the role of stakeholders, with an emphasis on non-governmental initiatives, in ensuring the success of these policies. This analysis will contribute to a broader theoretical understanding of the governance of urban transformations. Finally, the third step is to translate these insights into practical recommendations for the future design of urban transformation processes, ensuring that best practices can inform future policy and planning.

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Application Deadline :
May 15, 2025
Status :
Open

Transitions and Policy Impacts

Frankfurt, Germany
Goethe-Universität
Germany

Mapping Out Gaps of Transport Transition Paths for Socio-ecological Change. A Comparative Examination of Applied Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans and a Critical Review of Current Evaluation Strategies

The primary objective of this thesis is to critically examine the evaluation framework of applied Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) and propose adjustment measures. To achieve this, the first step is to map out the successes and pitfalls of current transport transition paths by analyzing EU support programs and identifying gaps in knowledge resources. Building on this, the second step involves conducting a comparative analysis of selected case studies where transport policies have been successfully implemented. Finally, the third step is to critically review existing EU evaluation plans, with a particular focus on knowledge integration and transfer, to identify areas for improvement.

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Application Deadline :
May 2, 2025
Status :
Open

Transitions and Policy Impacts

Vienna, Austria
BOKU University
Austria

Employing System Dynamics to Understand the Complexity and Wider Impacts of the Adoption of Transformative Policies on One’s Activity Travel Behaviours and Social and Personal Costs and Gains

The objective of this thesis is to develop a decision support system capable of measuring and evaluating the wider socio-economic and environmental impacts of selected transformative policies and their interactions. To achieve this, the first step is to establish a deep and holistic understanding of the types and interactions of these wider impacts through participative mapping techniques, considering the perspectives of all relevant social groups with participants from case studies in selected case study areas. The resulting causal loop diagrams will represent the unique decision options and priorities in the selected case studies allowing to identify policy leverage points. Building on this foundation, the second step involves critically reviewing existing performance indicators and developing new ones to measure the socio-economic and environmental impacts of selected transformative policies. These indicators will be designed to be sensitive to key social factors, including gender, age, abilities, income, and ethnic background, ensuring an inclusive approach to policy evaluation. Finally, these indicators be tested for the assessment of policy scenarios in selected case studies.

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Application Deadline :
June 17, 2025
Status :
Open
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