Active mobility (AM), including walking and cycling as single trips or in combination with public transport,
has recently been promoted by health professionals – with WHO leading the way – to tackle health problems
caused by physical inactivity. In fact only 1/3 of the European population is estimated to meet the minimum
recommended levels of physical activity by the WHO of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity 5 times
per week. Being aware that we spend between 70 to 80 min per day travelling and that 50% of all car trips
(in Europe) are shorter than 5 km, active mobility has an enormous potential to get people more active.
However, how is this knowledge of proven positive health effects of AM been taken into account – either by
urban and transport planning authorities or by health administration? Is this „new health trend“ visible in
strategies, cooperation or – what’s even more important – in implemented measures in smart cities?
“Physical activity through sustainable transport approaches” (PASTA1)” is a European project addressing
and analyzing the promising link between transport and health. It pursues an interdisciplinary approach
involving scientists and leading experts from a range of disciplines, including (among others) transport and
urban planning, public health, environmental sciences, climate change and energy, and transport economics.
The overall aim of the project is to generate knowledge about the effects of AM in consideration of health
effects.
This paper reveals backgrounds and relationships between transport and health work in seven European case
study cities (Antwerp, Barcelona, London, Örebro, Rome, Vienna and Zurich) based on workshops and
stakeholder interviews conducted in PASTA. Considering cities‘ framework conditions (strategies and
policies, infrastructure and other measures promoting AM etc.) and comparing stakeholders‘ perspectives
bring out that cities have to struggle with similar barriers and challenges. Otherwise they take promising
approaches and efforts towards sustainable and healthy urban development; increasing synergies between the
health and transport sector seems to be one of the missing links between transport and health. Good practices
and new ideas for transport planners and health experts are provided aiding to create livable conditions
through well-planned infrastructure, a safe environment and attractive public space, awareness-raising
activities and various broader policies – including the health policy. After all AM should not just be an
ephemeral health trend, but common (health) practice
