The project has delivered numerous influential interventions across Europe's North Sea Region, with all 11 partners contributing knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm to promote active mobility across the region.
With the project preparing for its final act, all involved in the Active Cities project should reflect with great pride on a highly satisfying journey to this point.
However, there is still time to commemorate the project before the it takes its final bow in December 2025, during the Active Cities Final Event.
The project will be celebrated throughout the POLIS Conference 2025, with several speaking slots across the agenda and a presence extended to the exhibition area. All partners will be in attendance, ready to share lessons and takeaways, showcase insights from the project, and distribute newly-developed policy briefs, designed to continue the conversation on urban active mobility long beyond the close of Active Cities.
Below, you can find details of the various speaking sessions in which the project will be showcased during the 2025 POLIS Conference, taking place in Utrecht, The Netherlands on 26-27 November 2025.
Wednesday 26th November
09:00-10:30 - Thinking Ahead: Innovative Steps Forward in Small and Medium-Sized Cities
During this parallel session, Wieger Postma (Municipality of Leeuwarden) will share details of the work carried out in the Spoordok area of Leeuwarden through the Active Cities project.
"Spoordok: The story of a former industrial district turned pedestrian-friendly for new inhabitants" will showcase details of how the Snekertrekweg and Marshall boulevard in Spoordok have been redesigned from a car-heavy road to a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly boulevard. This intervention was carried out to encourage active mobility in groups less familiar with it, such as refugees and foreign students, with the initiative also conducting awareness campaigns and citizen engagement programs.
New temporary housing along the Snekertrekweg. Units will be there for 10 years
14:30-16:00 - Pedestrian Power: Leading by Walking
Active Cities will be represented by two contributions during this parallel session.
Helena Runesson and Casja Andersson (City of Lund) will speak on "Walk for life: A walking campaign for women 65+", sharing details of a brand-new outdoor activity trail designed to help older adults stay active, confident, and connected. This initiative is more than a trail — it’s about helping older citizens walk with confidence, prevent falls, and keep moving together. Because active cities are for everyone, at every stage of life.
Senior activity track inauguration, Lund
During the same session, Femke Niekerk and Evite van Winkoop (Municipality of Groningen) will share information of the activities carried out in Groningen during the project.
"Redesigning the street to support walking: The Pedestrian Friendly Paddepoel" pilot in Groningen" will showcase the innovative approach to promoting active mobility in the city. This experiment involved temporarily changing a section of road from a place for traffic into a lively, people-focused area. This transformation required an eight-week road closure to allow for a complete redesign, which included adding green elements, artificial grass, and inviting places for people to meet. This experiment is a vital part of Groningen's larger urban development plan. The city's main aim is to give priority to those walking and cycling, shifting the focus from vehicle movement to creating active, welcoming public areas.
14:30-16:00 Mindsets in Motion
During this parallel session, Mathilde Epstein (City of Aarhus) will represent Active Cities during her presentation titled: "Citizen science for reduction of car dependency: An interactive, scenario-based approach to
understanding mobility behaviours and preferences." This is a must-attend for anyone interested in the human element of sustainable transport policy.
16:45-18:15 - Paved With Purpose: Streets for All
The Walkability app, developed by Active Cities partner Walk21, allows citizens of all ages and abilities to share their walking experiences. Sharing walking experiences helps communities and responsible authorities to understand walkable places and identify areas that need further improvement to make walking better for everyone. Walking should be safe and enjoyable for everyone. When it isn’t, we walk less, and loose the health, social, environmental, and economic benefits associated with living in more walkable places.
During this session, Carlos Canas (Walk21) will share his experiences and perspectives on walkability through his presentation titled: "Walkability App to assist participatory public space interventions for walking and assess their impact in the Active Cities Project."
As well as sharing insights through the inspiring sessions above, project partners will also be present at the Active Cities booth throughout the Conference. Stop by to learn more about our Active Cities experiences and discuss how we can continue to promote active mobility in European cities. We hope to see you there!
For more information on the POLIS Conference 2025, visit THIS LINK.
