The INCLUDES project will enhance the capacities of public authorities to design more inclusive mobility policies through an open exchange of information and sharing of practical examples on various dimensions of just and inclusive mobility planning. INCLUDES brings together seven partners from six European countries, sharing the aim of improving the implementation of public policies through interregional cooperation. Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS) is the lead partner of the INCLUDES project. Valonia and the Regional Council of Southwest Finland are a part of the project team in the four year long EU Interreg Project.
Gathering information about the daily challenges of locals
Southwest Finland aims to be carbon neutral by 2035, and the transport system plays a major role in achieving this goal. The aim is therefore to increase sustainable and active mobility, i.e., public transport, walking, and cycling in the region. To achieve this goal, a broad range of information needs to be gathered from inhabitants about the challenges they face in their daily lives so that they can be fully considered in the planning process.bAt the city and municipal levels, some tools are in place. There are guidelines for accessibility, and municipalities have their own councils for the elderly, for the disabled, and for youth. However, good practices are lacking in digitalization and social and economic areas. A more in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by specific groups is necessary.
The challenge in regional transport planning is that the means to take these groups into account are lacking, even if there is a will to do so. Vulnerable road users and specific groups can be better catered to in transport planning at the city level. However, the need to better integrate social sustainability and accessibility equity into regional transport planning at the urban and provincial level has been recognized, but regional transport system planning does not yet provide sufficient means to do this.
Policy under development – Transport System Plan for the Turku region
The policy to be developed is the Transport System Plan for the Turku region. It defines the key development needs for the future of the region, its businesses, and residents. It promotes their implementation through cooperation between the state, municipalities, and stakeholders and takes into consideration specific characteristics of the region. The Transport System Plan is based on the promotion of objectives relating to the functionality of the transport system, the smooth running of everyday activities, the reduction of transport emissions, and the promotion of sustainable and safe transport.
The Regional Council of Southwest Finland coordinates the transport system work of the region of Southwest Finland and the Turku region. The regional transport system plan is the guiding document of this work. The aim of the plan, together with the regional strategy and regional planning, is to promote good accessibility, smooth everyday life for residents, sustainable strengthening of the transport system and regional structure, and identification of the specific features of the region.
Designing tools and indicators to support the regional and sub-regional transport system
Our goal is to design tools and indicators to support the regional and sub-regional transport system work. The indicators will be monitored in the transport system plan. The tools can be developed by interviewing residents about the everyday challenges they face in traffic, but we also need discussions with other cities and regions that have been able to consider specific groups in transport planning.
The text is originally published on INCLUDES website: Regional Council of Southwest Finland: partner in INCLUDES (23 September 2025)
Photo: Tinksu Wessman
