European policy on urban transport through the years (NEW UPDATE)

1995: The 'Citizens Network Green Paper'

The first European support on this urban challenge on transport dates back to 1995 where the ‘Citizens Network Green Paper’ was introduced. Key points of this paper:

• Good local and regional passenger transport is an essential part of Europe’s transport system;
• Local and regional transport is primarily a matter for local, regional and national authorities;
• The Commissions role is to provide useful tools for the authorities and establish a policy framework for sustainable mobility.
  

In this paper the role of local and regional partners was already underlined.

2001: The White Paper 'European transport policy for 2010: Time to decide´

In 2001 the Commission aimed to adapt new challenges in the European transport policy by introducing the White paper ‘European transport policy for 2010: Time to decide’.  An emphasized aim of this paper was to shift the balance of transport modes, eliminate bottlenecks and placing users at the heart of transport policy. Although in the previous White Paper there was already a clear role for local and regional authorities, this  became even more evident in the midterm review of the white paper where the announcement was made for a Green Paper specially focused on urban transport.  From this moment on the shift towards the urban dimension was made.

2007: The Green Paper: 'Towards a new culture for Urban Mobility'

The green paper was establised in 2007 and titled: ‘Towards a new culture for urban mobility’. The paper formulated five main challenges:

• Free-flowing towns and cities;
• Greener town and cities;
• Smarter urban transport;
• Accessible urban transport;
• Safe and secure urban transport.
  

2011: The White Paper ‘Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area – Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system’.

The most recent development on the area of urban transport is the White Paper 2011 :‘Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area – Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system’. This White Paper calls for cities to follow a mixed strategy involving land-use planning, pricing schemes, efficient public transport services and infrastructure for non-motorised modes and charging/refuelling of clean vehicles to reduce congestion and emmissions. it specifically encourages cities above a certain size to develop Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans. 

• Growing transport and supporting mobility while reaching a 60% emission reduction;
• An efficient core network for multimodal intercity travel and transport;
• A global level-playing field for long distance travel and intercontinental freight;

• Clean urban transport and commuting.