In a metropolitan context marked by increased pressure on transportation infrastructure and the need to reduce pollution, the European project S.M.ALL (Sustainable Urban Mobility for All) proposed a people-centered approach, in which mobility becomes an accessible and safe right for every member of the community. Bucharest faces severe congestion and poor air quality, caused by a high modal share of private cars, at 27.3%
Completed in December 2025, the project’s main objective was to facilitate equitable access to sustainable urban mobility for all citizens, with a focus on vulnerable groups: children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and disadvantaged groups. At the same time, the initiative supported integrated sustainable urban development and strengthened cooperation among European cities.
In the Bucharest metropolitan area, this initiative supported integrated sustainable urban development and strengthened cooperation through the URBACT methodology, based on participation and learning by doing. The project contributed to shaping a modern planning paradigm, promoting solutions that encourage active transportation—walking and cycling—and the use of public transportation to reduce dependence on private cars.
Strategic Interventions and Action Directions
As part of the project, ADIZMB was involved in developing tools and solutions tailored to the local context. A central element was the development of a best-practice guide for creating a multimodal hub, designed to address the specific needs of the peri-urban areas surrounding Bucharest.
This type of infrastructure facilitates connections between different modes of transport—public transit, bicycles, electric scooters, and shared mobility services—contributing to the creation of an efficient, flexible, and sustainable mobility system.
At the same time, the project addressed mobility around educational institutions. In collaboration with the Bucharest City Hall and the Sector 6 City Hall, students’ travel patterns were analyzed to identify solutions for increasing the share of walking and cycling, improving access to public transportation, and reducing traffic and pollution near schools.
Among the proposed measures were the development of the concept of school climate zones, the reorganization of crosswalks, and the implementation of educational programs dedicated to sustainable mobility. These interventions targeted not only infrastructure but also changes in behaviors and the culture of urban mobility, moving toward a safer, healthier, and more responsible model.
Activities carried out in 2025
Throughout 2025, ADIZMB was actively involved in knowledge-sharing exchanges, international meetings, and local initiatives, contributing to strengthening the project’s European dimension and adapting best practices to the local context.
March 2025 – Škofja Loka, Slovenia
Participation in the project’s 7th transnational meeting provided an opportunity to analyze relevant examples of community involvement in the transformation of urban spaces. Discussions focused on developing integrated action plans and identifying funding mechanisms for sustainable and inclusive mobility.
July 2025 – Bucharest
ADIZMB organized a working meeting at ARCUB Gabroveni dedicated to the safety and accessibility of areas surrounding schools. The event brought together representatives of local administrations from Bucharest and Ilfov, facilitating a technical dialogue on the use of geospatial data and the identification of solutions to improve school mobility.
October 2025 – Vienna, Austria
Participation in an URBACT inter-network study visit allowed for the exploration of advanced models of urban design and inclusive mobility. The examples analyzed—from bicycle-friendly neighborhoods to green urban hubs—provided valuable insights.
November 2025 – Bucharest
ADIZMB hosted the final meeting of the S.M.ALL project. The event was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, which establishes strategic directions for continued collaboration and the development of sustainable urban mobility policies.
Impact and prospects for the Bucharest metropolitan area
Through the implementation of the S.M.ALL project, ADIZMB contributed to the development of an urban mobility model with an impact on:
– increasing safety in areas around schools;
– promoting active mobility and reducing pollution;
– strengthening cooperation among public institutions;
– developing administrative capacity through the exchange of best practices at the European level;
– establishing public policies based on concrete data and analysis.
Integrated solutions and collaboration between local and international stakeholders have supported the development of a vision for a more accessible, safer, and more sustainable metropolitan area.
Duration: 30 months (June 2023 – December 2025);
Budget: 105,000 euros;
Project code: 20329;
Funding: Project co-funded by the URBACT IV program;
Partners: Municipality of Ferrara (project leader), City of Ferrara, Municipality of Larissa, Komotini, Quadrilatero Urbano, Eurometropolis of Strasbourg, City of Sofia, Bucharest Inter-Municipal Development Association, Municipality of Druskininkai, SKOFJA LOKA.