Conference Highlights

An exciting and varied programme of panels, keynotes and workshops awaited you again this year at the polisMOBILITY expo & conference. The focus was on the key topics of municipal mobility transition, urban drive and energy transition as well as public transport and mobility services.

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to some of the many highlights in more detail, including various panel discussions and individual keynote speeches by experts who deal with different aspects of the transport and mobility transition on a daily basis.

At the moment we are creating a new conference programme for the next polisMOBILITY 2025.

Would you like more input and impressions on the topic of the transport and mobility transition? Then visit the polisMOBILITY camp in Cologne city centre after the expo & conference. On 24 and 25 May 2024, Rudolfplatz once again was transformed into a space for experience and dialogue for all Cologne residents and people from the surrounding area. Be there in 2025, join the discussion and shape the urban mobility of tomorrow!

It's that time again - the third polisMOBILITY conference begins and opens up two days of intensive exchange and discussion on the urban mobility of tomorrow! We have a clear position: the transport sector must also fulfil the climate targets. After a brief welcome from the polisMOBILITY hosts, we will set the scene for this with Friedemann Karig. Because the message of every powerful story is that change is possible and good. What should a strong narrative look like and what roles should be assigned?

Friedemann Karig (*1982) studied media studies, politics and economics in Passau and Cologne and has written for SZ, ZEIT, SPON and Deutschlandfunk, among others. His non-fiction book ‘Wie wir lieben’ was published by Blumenbar in 2017, his debut novel ‘Dschungel’ by Ullstein in 2019 (nominated for the zdf.aspekte debut prize) and the non-fiction bestseller ‘Erzählende Affen’ in October 2021.

Decades of work towards achieving sustainability show that mobility is essential and yet unsustainable. With climate change, market forces, societal costs of car-dependency, mobility in cities faces an epic crossroad. However, no single policy, city, organization or company can plot the recipe to achieve success. In the face of uncertainty, progress can be difficult: it’s unclear how any future can come to fruition. This talk is about the craft of change and the tremendous window of opportunity that lies before us. How can our cities realize a reality that does not yet exist?

Dr Meredith Glaser is Managing Director of the Urban Cycling Institute, an Amsterdam-based non-governmental organisation dedicated to research, higher education and capacity building. She is also Professor of Cycling at Ghent University. She is a leading expert in the field and one of the most sought-after teachers for learning about urban cycling systems, governance and knowledge transfer. She holds a PhD in Urban Planning from the University of Amsterdam.

Generative AI is already revolutionising our lives and work as a transformative force. From impressive applications in text, video, image and audio to the impact on the economy - the futureTALK shows how GenAI is changing the rules of the game. How is the labour market changing under the influence of GenAI and what steps are needed to prepare for the AI era.

Vanessa Cann is one of the most recognised minds in the European AI ecosystem. She has founded several initiatives and companies, including nyonic, which develops multilingual language models for industrial applications. As Managing Director of the German AI Association, she has shaped it into one of the largest networks for AI companies in Europe. Today, she contributes her extensive expertise as a member of the association's board. Vanessa was recognised by Forbes as one of the 30 most influential people under 30 and by Capital as one of the 40 leading personalities under 40 for her commitment to AI.