At the end of June, European CIVINET communities gathered in Budapest to develop solutions that would systematically increase inclusivity in urban transport systems. We are sharing the CIVITAS initiative's news about the event; the original article can be read here.
Inclusivity isn’t just about infrastructure — it’s about intent. Who do we design our cities for?
That question was at the heart of “Bridging Gaps: Achieving Inclusivity in Urban Mobility,” a two-day CIVINET study tour and networking event held in Budapest from 25–26 June. Co-hosted by the CIVITAS Initiative, Magyar CIVINET and Budapest’s transport authority, BKK, the event brought together 35 urban mobility practitioners, city leaders, students, and European Commission representatives from across Europe to explore how transport systems can better reflect the complexity of city life.
Day one, themed “Listening, Learning, Leading,” addressed systemic gaps through two parallel forums — one technical, one political. A clear message emerged: despite growing awareness, many cities still design for the so-called “average commuter,” overlooking the needs of older adults, people with limited mobility, shift workers, and caregivers.
Discussions revealed persistent barriers: the high cost of maintaining solutions, a lack of advocacy for underrepresented groups, and the challenge of engaging all segments of the population meaningfully.
Daniel Rádai, Deputy Mayor of Budapest’s District 8, put it clearly: “Leadership needs to want it, and to give it the funding that it needs.” He added, “When resources become scarce… direct them to where they’re needed most,” emphasising the role of legislation in embedding inclusion.
Local perspectives also highlighted how solutions must adapt to context. Dzvenyslava Tyslyukevych from CIVINET Ukraine shared how the Movement Without Barriers project is creating accessible pedestrian and transport routes in 12 cities — even amid war. Meanwhile, Violeta Mihalache from CIVINET Romania described how Timișoara tackled discriminatory bus access for wheelchair users through direct dialogue between drivers and passengers. Since those meetings began, no further refusals have been reported.
If day one set the scene, day two brought it to life. Under the theme “Seeing, Sharing, Shaping,” participants explored Budapest’s evolving mobility network — from barrier-free transit hubs and revitalised pedestrian zones to green-lined cycling corridors.
Goran Lampelj, of CIVINET Slovenia–Croatia–South East Europe, noted the “replicability, scalability and affordability” of many of the solutions — particularly relevant for small and medium-sized cities. Rusu Andrei of CIVINET Romania reflected on how seeing people-focused public spaces in a Central European setting made the ideas feel accessible across the region.
Bonnie Fenton of CIVINET Deutscher Sprachraum praised the integration of greenery into cycling infrastructure, noting its role in making cycling more attractive and comfortable.
Maxime Callaert of the City of Sint-Niklaas, representing CIVINET .BE, highlighted the importance of community ownership — pointing to Budapest’s practice of ceremonially “handing over” projects to the public once complete.
Rather than ending with a checklist, the event closed with co-creation workshops where participants translated insights into actionable strategies. Ideas were grounded in lived experience and shaped collaboratively — a reflection of the event’s core message.
To build cities that are truly inclusive, we must move beyond averages. Cities are not flat — they are complex, layered, and full of competing needs. Designing with that in mind isn’t easy — but as Budapest showed, it’s already happening.
Photo: Laura Schubert
