Mart Grisel is a leading voice in European urban policy. He is the Director and founder of the European Urban Knowledge Network (EUKN), which was established in 2005. The EUKN’s primary focus is working with national governments across Europe to promote sustainable urban development. They also collaborate with European and global partners on pioneering urban development research projects. Since 2007, Mart Grisel has been closely involved in the urban programmes of successive EU Council Presidencies. He holds an Executive Master’s Degree in Strategic Urban Studies from the Netherlands School of Public Administration.
Interview
How would you describe your vision for the ‘‘Spaces of Mobility’’ for the Munich Metropolitan Region in 2034 in three words?
Multimodal, people-centric and climate-resilient.
What do you see as the biggest mobility challenge facing the Munich Metropolitan Region?
The transport system is already under considerable strain, particularly the S-Bahn trunk line and the motorways around Munich. The number of commuters continues to grow as housing inside the city remains expensive. Dependence on cars in the surrounding region is too high, as many rural areas lack viable alternative mobility options. The mobility of the future in the metropolitan region needs a holistic, multimodal and sustainable approach. A major expansion of public transport options, improved cycling infrastructure, digitally connected mobility services, and a shift in travel behaviour are all necessary to make the city more livable and climate-friendly.
What motivated you to get involved in the IBA-M?
I’d like to draw on our decades of experience in European urban development by actively contributing to the IBA and sharing best practices and existing knowledge from other European metropolitan regions and our member states.
For me, the IBA is…
…a forum and a platform for showcasing and driving significant and inspiring changes in urban planning and urban life. It’s a way to actively shape the future of our cities.