Foresight Lab: Active Mobility and the Attractiveness of Small and Medium-Sized Cities

Client
French National Agency for Territorial Cohesion (ANCT)

Time Frame
2025-2026

Partner
Acadie
Monono

Cycling Strategy

Project Summary

The French National Agency for Territorial Cohesion (ANCT) commissioned Copenhagenize, in partnership with Acadie and Monono, to lead a national foresight program exploring the role of active mobility in enhancing the attractiveness of small and medium-sized cities. Over the course of one year, six intermunicipal territories took part in a series of local and national workshops bringing together elected officials, technical staff, institutional partners and local stakeholders to identify practical pathways for expanding walking and cycling across diverse territorial contexts.

Copenhagenize led the technical analysis, designed the workshop methodology, developed the supporting tools and synthesised the lessons learned from the participating territories. The approach examined active mobility through three complementary perspectives: public space, culture and perceptions, and the local economy, moving beyond infrastructure alone to demonstrate its contribution to attractiveness, quality of life and local development.

The project concluded with the publication of a national guidance document for small and medium-sized French cities. Drawing on the experience of the six pilot territories, it sets out five strategic recommendations covering governance, territorial capacity, institutional partnerships, funding mechanisms and decision-maker awareness. Together, these recommendations provide an operational framework for embedding active mobility into long-term local development and territorial transition strategies.