UNLOCK15 - Empowering people for transitions to UNLOCK the 15-minute City

Citizens and local authorities play a crucial role in the transition to sustainable mobility. Despite successful strategies, there are still challenges such as protests against approaches that question the prevailing car regime. The 15-minute city challenges the existing car-dominated system and the UNLOCK15 project aims to empower citizens to overcome behavioral, technological and institutional barriers that hinder the transition to this concept. The project addresses barriers related to citizen and stakeholder participation, institutional learning and the development of locally rooted narratives for people-centered planning. It comprises eight work packages that form the basis for the transition to the 15-minute city. The first methodological pillar includes a literature review and historical analysis to understand barriers, examine past transitions and identify pathways to sustainable mobility. Learning Living Labs across five mid-size cities in Europe facilitate theoretical and practical approaches. The second pillar focuses on applying knowledge to each Learning Living Lab, understanding blockages and developing tools to raise awareness, persuade and engage. Empowerment tools are used to overcome blockages and are analyzed with regard to infrastructural, behavioral and institutional aspects. Stakeholder perspectives on the 15-minute city, both for and against, will be assessed to guide the transition. The final outcome of the project will include a summary of the findings from the Living Labs, their translation into plans and policy recommendations, complemented by webinars and courses.