PROMISE is an abbreviation for the focus of the project - Progressive solutions for Reshaping urban mObility: integrating Micro-mobility, technology, Infrastructure, and Smart policy for first/last milE travel and logistics.
At the heart of PROMISE is a mission to reduce urban car dependency by championing micro-mobility solutions such as e-scooters, shared bicycles, and smart logistics. These tools will be integrated into the first and last mile of travel to promote cleaner, more sustainable urban transportation systems.
Led by Associate Professor Mia Xiaoyun Zhao, PROMISE embraces the vision of the 15-minute city - a concept where essential services are accessible within a 15-minute walk or cycle from home. “PROMISE goes beyond transport - it’s about transforming how we live and move in our cities,” said Zhao. “Through living labs and collaborative policymaking, we will create adaptable mobility frameworks that benefit both people and the city.”
The PROMISE project brings together 14 organisations across Europe, including universities, municipalities, tech companies, and logistics firms from Sweden, Germany, Türkiye, Romania, Greece, and Denmark:
Partners
- Dalarna University
- Sustainability InnoCenter ek förening
- ModC Networks AB
- Aalborg University
- Osmangazi Municipality
- DFAST Dagitim Hizmetleri ve Lojistik A.S.
- Uzay Tech Bilisim Arastirma Muhendislik Hizmetleri Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S.
- Brasov Metropolitan Agency for Sustainable Development
- BEIA Cercetare SRL
- Municipality of Rethymno
- Universität Duisburg-Essen
Co-operating Partners
- City of Bochum
- City of Cologne
- UPS Germany
Living Labs
- Germany
- Greece
- Romania
- Türkiye
Key Deliverables
PROMISE will implement real-world living labs to test micro-mobility interventions, develop a GIS-based Micro-Mobility Decision Support Tool (MDST), and facilitate co-creation workshops to engage city planners, citizens, and transport stakeholders.
The solutions aim to be scalable, evidence-based, and tailored to diverse urban settings, addressing everything from infrastructure planning to behavioural change.
The project supports the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership (DUT), part of the European Commission’s commitment to climate-neutral and smart cities. By focusing on first/last mile logistics, PROMISE contributes to reducing emissions, traffic congestion, and urban inequalities - core goals of the EU’s Green Deal and Urban Mobility Framework.
Incorporating behavioural science, technology, and sustainability, PROMISE bridges academic insight with urban reality. Co-created policies and digital planning tools will empower decision-makers to design cities that are more accessible, resilient, and equitable.
The project officially began in March, 2025, and will run for 36 months.
