Three questions for...
Nina Hampl
You are head of the Center for Active Mobility. What does active mobility mean to you?
For me, active mobility, i.e. getting around using your own muscle power, is the most sustainable form of mobility. Walking is the most original and natural form, which I particularly appreciate.
What are your particular interests in research and teaching?
In this context, I am interested in the behavior and, above all, the decision-making behavior of actors. These can be individual people, but also people who make decisions within organizations such as companies. With regard to mobility, for example, we make long-term decisions (e.g. do I buy a car or not?) and short-term decisions (e.g. do I take the bus or cycle to work/university today?). In this context, for example, the question arises as to how decisions in the direction of sustainable mobility behavior can be supported. I also incorporate these topics into my teaching, where I usually try to create a practical application context in addition to teaching theory.
What motivates you personally every day in your work at the Center for Active Mobility?
Making a contribution to a climate-neutral society.
Eva Schwab
What fascinates you about active mobility?
I am fascinated by the fact that active mobility is a cross-cutting issue that allows us to make a lot of adjustments for the sustainable development of our society. For me, it's not just about getting from A to B in comfort and perhaps running a few errands along the way. Active mobility is also about mental/physical health, economic interrelationships, resource conservation and the quality of our built environment - especially with regard to climate change, inclusion and equal opportunities, to name just a few topics. Small movement - big impact, so to speak.
How can urban development help to promote active mobility?
Settlement structures are closely linked to mobility options. The suburban area, for example, is a very MIV-oriented structure because the distances are longer, there is less social infrastructure and public transport may also be less developed than in the dense city. In such a case, creating good infrastructures for active mobility is one contribution. However, it is more fundamental to create settlement structures that can offer a high quality of life and low dependency on private transport.
What do you particularly like about the Center for Active Mobility?
The inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration between two universities and the city administration is a key quality of the center for me.
Viktoria Schett
What exactly do you do at the Center for Active Mobility?
At the Center for Active Mobility, I take on a variety of tasks in research and teaching, am responsible for public relations and focus in particular on the CarryMeHome project. This project at the Center aims to develop efficient, modular and seamless solutions for the transportation of people and goods, with a focus on active mobility.
What do you particularly like about your work?
What I particularly like about my work is the variety and the opportunity to deal intensively with the topic of active mobility. I am passionate about developing innovative solutions to address societal and environmental issues through collaborative research and interdisciplinary collaboration at the Center.
How do you think the importance of active mobility has changed in recent years and how do you see the future?
I think that the importance of active mobility has developed positively in recent years, as there is a noticeably increasing focus on cyclists and pedestrians in both urban and rural areas. In my opinion, this positive change is being driven by a growing social focus on health, environmental awareness and tackling traffic problems. For the future, I therefore see an even greater appreciation for the topic of active mobility, supported by technological innovations, political measures and increased integration into urban planning in order to create a sustainable and liveable environment.
