Work

Transitions through Experimentation: Experts’ insights on micromobility integration in urban planning

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated changes in urban mobility, prompting cities to test new uses of streets and public space. This paper examines how micromobility and urban experimentation intersect, drawing on semi-structured interviews with 14 experts in urban planning and mobility across seven countries. Findings show that experimentation, through both top-down pop-up projects and bottom-up tactical urbanism, offers a flexible pathway to integrate micromobility into planning. Yet, challenges remain around the durability of temporary measures, political risk, and limited administrative capacity. The study identifies key conditions for success: clear goals, public participation beyond consultation, and robust monitoring frameworks. By systematizing expert insights, the paper contributes a conceptual foundation for embedding experimentation into formal planning processes, helping policymakers and planners advance more adaptive and inclusive urban mobility systems.

Source: Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives

DOI: 10.1016/j.trip.2025.101778

Authors: Freddy Nogueira, Filipe Moura, Ana Morais de Sá

Institutions: University of Lisbon, Instituto Superior Técnico, Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability

Language: English

Topic: Urban Transport and Accessibility

Subfield: Transportation

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,400