Research projects

The complex interactions between the patterns of regional and local settlement structures, the various forms of mobility and mobility behaviour in the context of societal development will continue to gain importance and influence strategic as well as planning processes. On the one hand, regional and urban development creates framework conditions for mobility through the emergence of settlements and infrastructures. On the other hand, flowing and stationary traffic changes the structure and image of cities and communities. The example of the city of Langenfeld (Rhineland), which lies in the suburban area of North Rhine-Westphalia, illustrates these influences.

Langenfeld is a medium-sized town in the district of Mettmann and has almost 60,000 inhabitants in an area of 41 km² (1.423 persons/km²). Langenfeld is located between the A3 and A59 motorways between Düsseldorf, Leverkusen and Cologne and is thus part of a highly frequented commuter network. The city last adopted a traffic development plan in 2006. Since that time, a lot has happened in Langenfeld itself, but also in the area of mobility. Langenfeld was one of the first municipalities to join the “Zukunftsnetz Mobilität NRW”. Also numerous plans, concepts and processes were drawn up and implemented. Their contents and goals complement each other, but they also lead to conflicts.

In cooperation with PTV Transport Consult GmbH, the ILS is drawing up an integrated, local mobility concept on behalf of the City of Langenfeld. The aim is to merge the contents and objectives and to create an overall urban vision for mobility development in Langenfeld. The mobility concept has to be conceived in such a way that it can be updated on the basis of technological and social developments. It is based on the Road and Transportation Research Association (FGSV) instructions on traffic development planning and the recommendations of the European Commission on the preparation of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMP).