P.A.P.E.R. strategy: Permanent Adaptive Planning for Equitable and Responsive urban quality design for bicycle and pedestrian flow

The objective of the proposal is to survey, collect, and monitor data and information from different data sources (sensors, cameras, platforms, digital devices, etc.) on pedestrian and bicycle flows and on urban spaces and integrate them to develop a “Permanent Adaptive Planning” strategy with the aim of creating lively and livable spaces that prioritize people and the environment.
“Permanent adaptive design for Equitable and Responsive urban quality design for bicycle and pedestrian flow” aims to adapt design solutions to evolving data analysis and new urban scenarios and support strategic choices to:
1. increase the safety of bicycle and pedestrian flows (e.g., structural safety of mobility spaces and services, perceived gender urban safety);
2. improve and optimize the relationship of bicycle and pedestrian flows with the urban environment to improve urban quality and citizen well-being (e.g., reduction of heat islands near parking areas, increase urban nature, etc.);
3. identify needs and provide services to support bicycle and pedestrian flows (safe parking, rest areas, bicycle stations, water fountains).

An added value of the proposal is the possibility of linking the information collected on bicycle and pedestrian flows with the smart city platform already active or activable in the area , in order to further enhance the designed spaces.

• Active involvement of stakeholders and citizens: citizens actively participate in building shared and common information useful for defining needs and strategic choices on planning urban spaces and mobility planning;
• Implementation of pedestrian and bicyclist safety and perceived urban safety: Improvement of public path and public space endowments dedicated to identified risk areas or perceived risk areas, especially related to a gender perspective;
• Improvement of public health: Improvement of walking and bicycling activities through temporary and structural space solutions that make routes more attractive thanks to new services to support cycling and walking (such as safe parking, rest areas, bike stations, etc.);
• Improvement of urban quality and economic development, reduction of environmental impact: implementation of temporary and structural interventions to improve public space endowments and services to support bicycle and pedestrian mobility and parking through urban reconfigurations characterized by solutions that aim to: naturalizing public areas, reducing heat islands, reducing the impact of climate change and improving street furniture, with positive impacts on the attractiveness of places and local businesses;
• Data-driven governance: provision of aggregate data on bicycle and pedestrian flows and urban space uses, available to public administration to guide sustainable urban planning and policies.

Urban LIFE | Urban Liveability & Innovation For Everyone is an innovative startup and academic spin-off of the University of Florence, based at the Florentine University Incubator (IUF). Established in 2019, the company focuses on enhancing the quality of life in public spaces through integrated urban regeneration strategies that emphasize sustainability, resilience, and social inclusion.

Urban LIFE's multidisciplinary team comprises experts in architecture, urban planning, landscape design, technology and economics, all actively engaged in academic research and education. The company's approach combines technological innovation with a deep understanding of urban dynamics to develop tools and consulting services aimed at creating and managing urban centers that align with diverse user needs and urban fabrics.

In line with the objectives of the "Designing for Sustainable Mobility - Smart Data Collection System for Modal Split Analysis" challenge, Urban LIFE's expertise in smart city planning and urban governance positions it as a valuable contributor to projects that aim to analyze and optimize urban mobility patterns. The company's commitment to data-driven urban development and sustainable mobility solutions aligns with the goals of promoting multimodal transport systems and reducing environmental impacts in urban settings.

- Phase 1: Mapping pilot areas, co-design with stakeholders and citizens using different methodologies, defining needs, prioritizing pilot areas
Estimated duration: 2 months
Estimated cost: 15,000 euros

- Phase 2: Verification and definition of usable data sources already available to the public administration, installation of new assets in pilot areas (IoT sensors, cameras, etc.)
Estimated duration: 2 months
Estimated cost: 30,000 euros

- Phase 3: Comparative data analysis of bicycle and pedestrian flows, of urban spaces and urban services, using artificial intelligence models, predictive scenarios, benchmarking methods, study of existing urban planning and mobility planning tools
Estimated duration: 2 months
Estimated cost: 30,000 euros

- Phase 4: Scenario creation to support strategic choices related to “Permanent Adaptive Planning”, creation of a program of possible interventions, co-design activities with stakeholders to define priority interventions
Estimated duration: 2 months
Estimated cost: 20,000 euros