Frankfurt Shifts Gears: A Sustainable Mobility Revolution
Frankfurt's City Council paves the way for transportation transformation - City council approves modifications in traffic system within Frankfurt
Get ready, Frankfurt! The city's council just green-lit a game-changing move towards a future-forward mobility transition. The so-called "Masterplan Mobility" has been unanimously approved, marking a significant leap forward for this progressive city.
Traffic commissioner, Wolfgang Siefert (Greens), heralded the decision as a "pivotal moment" for Frankfurt. This ambitious concept—delayed by two years—champions sustainable mobility, smart traffic management, improved logistics efficiency, and enhanced health and safety.
The plan prioritizes people and all forms of transportation, keeping in mind ecological, economic, and social aspects. In particular, pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport are set to dominate 80% of trips by 2035, up from the 2018 figure of 63%.
Here's what you can expect:
- Cycling Paradise: The city will expand cycling infrastructure to cater to growing demand.
- Public Transit Boost: Public transportation is expected to see a significant boost, ensuring smooth trips for all Frankfurt residents.
- Low-Traffic Zones: Establishment of low-traffic zones throughout the city aims to make it more pedestrian-friendly.
- Parking is Expensive: The city's parking fees will increase, encouraging drivers to think twice before choosing to drive.
- Pedestrian & Logistics Commissioner: Appointing a dedicated individual to oversee pedestrian and logistics concerns is another step towards a more integrated city.
- E-Mobility Embrace: The city will embrace e-mobility solutions to reduce carbon emissions.
- Car-Sharing Explosion: Car-sharing services will see a growth spurt, offering a more accessible and eco-friendly alternative to private cars.
The goal? Climate neutrality in the transport sector by 2035, significant reductions in noise pollution, and a substantial decrease in traffic fatalities and injuries.
Businesses Criticize the Plan
Not everyone is on board with the plan. Some parts of the opposition have sharply criticized it, while the business community feels it might drive away customers, suppliers, and employees with its one-sided anti-car stance, as expressed in a joint statement from several Frankfurt organizations, including the Chamber of Crafts, the IHK, the Taxi Association, and the Automobile Club of Germany.
But this ambitious proposal is here to stay. The new master plan replaces the overall transport plan from 2005 and meets the EU's 2027 requirement for a sustainable mobility strategy. After protracted negotiations, the coalition of Greens, SPD, FDP, and Volt finally approved the plan in March 2023.
Frankfurt Leading the Transport Revolution
The master plan was already presented in 2023, developed with input from administration, science, and the public. Frankfurt is one of the first cities in Germany to publish such a comprehensive transport strategy, paving the way for other cities to follow suit.
[1] Urban Research Institute, Frankfurt University, City of Frankfurt’s Masterplan Mobility (2023)
[2] Technical University of Darmstadt, Smart City Transportation Strategies (2021)
[3] German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association, Market Outlook for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (2022)
[4] European Commission, EU’s Green Deal: Roadmap to Climate Neutrality by 2050 (2019)
- The Masterplan Mobility, a revolutionary approach to sustainable mobility, prioritizes science and environmental-science in its strategy to combat climate-change, focusing on industry and transportation solutions.
- Frankfurt's emphasis on home-and-garden living, promoting a lifestyle that reduces carbon footprints, aligns with the city's ambition to become a model for environmental consciousness.
- The city's finance sector plays a crucial role in funding the development and implementation of the Masterplan Mobility, securing its success and contributing to the global fight against climate-change.
- In the wake of the transportation revolution, Frankfurt seeks to improve its environmental performance by advocating for the use of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, demonstrating its commitment to the EU's Green Deal and the roadmap to climate neutrality by 2050.
