SCALE-UP In Action
Newsletter Issue #1-2025
SCALE-UP In Action is the quarterly e-Newsletter of the EU-funded SCALE-UP Innovation Action, sharing news on the progress of the project activities.
Register Now for the SCALE-UP & MOVE21 Joint Final Event
Mark your calendar for 1–2 April 2025 and join us at COMET Louise in Brussels, Belgium, for the Joint Final Event of MOVE21 and SCALE-UP - two Horizon 2020 projects funded by the EU to advance urban mobility and multimodal transport across Europe.
Under the title “Next Steps Towards Cities as Green and Connected Nodes for Urban Mobility”, this two-day event will bring together policymakers, city leaders, innovators, sustainability experts, researchers, and academics to explore how successful project outcomes can inspire transformative change.
Registrations are now open for the parallel sessions taking place on 2 April from 13:00-14:30 and 15:00-16:30 CET.
Click on the link below to register and secure your place—limited seats available!
SCALE-UP at the RTR 2025: Strengthening Collaboration for Sustainable Urban Mobility
From 11 to 13 February 2025, the RTR Conference brought together over 400 experts to share insights from Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects, presenting results and expected outcomes in the field of road transport.
As in previous years, SCALE-UP participated once again, joining the session “New Mobility Services in Cities” on 13 February 2025, from 09:00 to 11:00 CET. Mr Michiel Penne, from the City of Antwerp, project coordinator of SCALE-UP, shared the stage with representatives from fellow EU-funded projects—MOVE21, Gemini Project, SUM Project—and provided an overview of the four-year project as it nears its final stage.
Anda Madrid: Walking Towards a Greener Future in the Capital
On 17 September 2024, the Delegate for Urban Planning, Environment and Mobility, Mr Borja Carabante, presented Anda Madrid, a new initiative promoting sustainable mobility in the City of Madrid. It features six iconic walking routes designed to encourage both residents and visitors to explore the city on foot while supporting sustainable urban mobility in alignment with the Madrid 360 Strategy.
The Anda Madrid map is available on the municipal website, at tourist offices, district councils, and in municipal facilities such as cultural centres, senior citizens’ centres, sports centres and libraries.
SCALE-UP Project Continues to Foster Sustainable Urban Mobility Through Academic Research
The Regional Council of Southwest Finland surveyed residents on walking, cycling, and public transport to enhance regional mobility planning.
Key findings highlight a growing preference for regional train services, which moved from the fifth most important public transport measure in 2021 to the second in 2024. Developing regional bus connections remains the top priority.
Survey data will guide transport planning, policy decisions, and project prioritisation, benefiting municipalities and stakeholders in shaping future mobility solutions.
News of Interest
Madrid’s LEZ clears the air
The City of Madrid fully implemented its Low Emission Zone (LEZ) as of January 2025, covering the entire city. The journey began in 2018 with Madrid Central and evolved into the ambitious Madrid 360 Strategy, aimed at improving air quality and reducing congestion.
Madrid is the second most populous functional urban area in the EU, located within two TEN-T corridors. As the city grows, the municipality aims to ensure that this growth is sustainable.
Apply for 2027 European Green Capital and European Green Leaf Awards
The European Commission has launched the competition for the 2027 European Green Capital (EGCA 2027) and the European Green Leaf (EGLA 2027) Awards. European cities and towns committed to sustainability are encouraged to submit their applications by 15 April 2025 at 23:59 CEST (GMT+2). The winner of the Green Capital Award will receive €600,000, and up to two cities will receive €200,000 each as Green Leaf winners. Winning cities will also benefit from increased international profile, networking and new alliances, a sense of local pride, and the opportunity to join a network of previous finalists and winners.
Unveiling the Cities Forum 2025 : Empowering cities, shaping Europe’s future
The Cities Forum 2025 will take place in Krakow, Poland, from 17 to 19 June 2025. Co-organised by the Directorate General for Regional & Urban Policy (DG REGIO) of the European Commission and the European Urban Initiative (EUI), the event will bring together urban stakeholders from across Europe to discuss sustainable and integrated urban development. Key topics include multi-level governance, policy collaboration, and the future of cities in the EU. The forum will also highlight EU initiatives and showcase successful approaches supported by the EU Cohesion Policy, which is investing over €24 billion in integrated development strategies for the 2021–2027 period.