Perspectives on Mobility in Transition

Our mobility has changed frequently over time. Reasons for this can include changing needs or new technologies. The same applies to incisive events of various kinds. Often, the various influencing factors interact with each other.

This semester, we will jointly focus on personal mobility. Mobility is a basic human need, but it presents us as a society with ever new challenges. Congested and dilapidated infrastructure, noise and air pollution, scarcity of resources and, last but not least, the climate crisis force us to discuss the status quo and future perspectives of personal mobility. Which adaptations are necessary today? Which of them will persist in the long run? Does innovation take place only in technical isolation or holistically, looking at factors such as social acceptance, economic viability or environmental compatibility? Ultimately, mobility must be understood and developed as a dynamic socio-technical system, we argue. To answer these questions, a look back can also help, because the present is a product of the past; those who understand the latter can shape the future in a more differentiated way.

The module will critically examine personal mobility and its evolution. Various actors within and outside RWTH and the region will discuss transformations of mobility with us. We explicitly look forward to discussions with you!