The morning’s discussions highlighted both shared challenges and promising strategies for shaping the future of urban mobility. Director Hong Zhu offered valuable insights into the latest stage of Shanghai’s transportation development, opening a broader conversation on global perspectives in mobility planning.

A key topic of the exchange was the concept of the “X-Minute City,” with particular attention given to multimodal accessibility and the “Flowers of Proximity” approach as a framework for creating more liveable and connected urban spaces. 

Participants also explored innovation-driven initiatives such as the MCube cluster and the EIT Urban Mobility Innovation Hub Central. The discussion focused on how successful urban mobility transitions can be scaled up, transferred, and adapted across different metropolitan contexts.

In addition, the exchange addressed the role of data and incentives in implementing sustainable mobility strategies. Topics included Munich’s mobility data strategy as well as pilot approaches for digital tradable mobility credits, demonstrating how research and policy can be translated into practical solutions.

TUM extends its sincere thanks to the delegation from Shanghai, as well as to the speakers from TUM, MCube – Munich Cluster for the Future of Mobility in Metropolitan Regions, and the City of Munich for contributing to this rich and forward-looking dialogue.

The visit underlined a shared conviction: while the challenges of urban mobility are global, so too are the opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

Special thanks go to:

• Hong Zhu (Director of Shanghai Urban-Rural Construction and Transportation Development Research Institute)

• Benjamin Büttner (Head of Research Group Accessibility Planning and Co-Chair of the Chair of Urban Structure and Transport Planning)