An integrated view on mobility in city center quarters - how can it work?

One of the mega trends of the 21st century is “Mobility”; two others of equal importance are “Individualism” and “Sustainability”. Yet when it comes to transportation, there seems to be no alternative to owning at least one car per household to be ultimately mobile as an individual - which does not really correspond to sustainable behavior. Especially not in a densely populated metropolitan area in Germany which provides a well-developed public transportation system.In this situation, it is critical to answer whether a mobility concept can be developed that is both sufficiently attractive and economically viable. The three major challenges are as follows: to encourage - users to give up their car- investors to accept major limitations in building parking space (which could negatively impact rents and selling prices)- operators to offer sharing of cars, bikes, etc.Using a real life case – a new city district – an integrated view is analyzed, qualitatively as well as quantitatively. There are substantial questions to be raised: Is a concept of limited individual parking spaces compensated by shared transportation utilities and improved public transportation just an illusion? Can these offerings really satisfy the current and future needs of the residents? Is the concept sustainable for all parties involved? Will investors invest and operators be able to make a profit? How would these systems need to be designed – physically as well as financially?These questions can only be answered using an integrated model that combines the findings of fundamental studies on user behavior and needs, investor and operator requirements, and translate those into interrelated financial and non-financial outcomes. Accordingly, the model needs to include and analyze aspects likedifferent types of users, their requirements as well as their cost-benefit profiles regarding a holistic mobility conceptrequirements of property investors regarding the physical and financial implications, including the advantages and disadvantages of new parking regulationsphysical and financial requirements for mobility operators providing mobility offers and satisfying users’ needs.Such an integrated analysis and modelling could be an important point of reference for the real estate community in developing variable mobility concepts, implementing new parking guidelines, and producing sustainable urban development.