About the project
Co-imagining needs-based mobility visions for the proximity city (CONIFER) is reimagining urban mobility by shifting from car dependency to proximity-based living. To make this a reality, we’re developing a participatory foresight methodology that puts the needs of youth, their carers, and teachers at the center.
Through civic labs in six European cities, we’ll explore how accessibility, perceptions, and narratives of proximity vary across mobility cultures. Using dynamic systems modeling, gamification, art, and design thinking, we’ll co-create bold scenarios and visions for the 15-minute city. Our work will also explore AI’s role in this transition.
The result? Practical roadmaps, policy pathways, and branding blueprints to help cities worldwide embrace proximity-driven futures.
Project structure diagram
Project partners
Who we are
The CONIFER project is led by a diverse team of academic institutions, research organizations, and innovation hubs committed to reimagining urban mobility.
Project coordinator
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
The mission of MOBILISE is to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and inclusive mobility system. We analyse mobility to assess the external costs of transport and the impact of new policies and technologies on the transport system, the society and the environment. We mobilise people to create awareness of the issues caused by transport, to involve them in the planning and evaluation of the transport system and to accelerate the transformation and change behaviour.
International Federation of Pedestrians – Research
The International Federation of Pedestrians (IFP) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to promoting pedestrian rights, road safety, and livable public spaces. Founded in 1963 and accredited by the United Nations, IFP collaborates with a global network of 48 non-profit associations and organizations that work locally, regionally, and nationally in their respective countries.
CollectiveUP
CollectiveUP is a team of international, multi-cultural, disciplinary-diverse members who bring alive initiatives that benefit individuals and communities, including associations, organizations, companies (profit & non-profit), families, schools, neighborhoods, cities, municipalities and society in general.
Our work supports the Collective UPgrading of our democracy and participatory practices, using methods like sociocracy and agile collective decision making, and tools like digital participatory platforms.
KTI Hungarian Institute for Logistics and Transport Sciences
Hungarian Institute for Transport Sciences and Logistics Ltd. (KTI), together with its predecessors, has a history of 85 years. Alongside tradition, innovation is the watchword of our institute, which is a fundamental pillar of modern, sustainable transport. In addition, the KTI’s research and development, training and testing, transport education and training, as well as construction and railway certification are important areas of activity.
Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design
The mission of Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME Budapest) is to provide answers to the pressing challenges of the 21st century with design-based learning, research, and applied mastery. We are committed to serving our communities, spreading design consciousness while taking a whole-person approach through personalized mentoring. At the same time, we strive to foster a value-driven arts and design ecosystem in the Central and Eastern European region.
Universidade de Aveiro
The University of Aveiro (UA) is a public higher education institution in Portugal, based in the city of Aveiro. Created in 1973, in a context of expansion and renewal of higher education in Portugal, UA soon became a reference university due to the high quality of its research, teaching staff and infrastructure.
In addition to its undergraduate courses, UA offers a wide range of specialized training courses (CFEs), technological specialization courses (CETs), master’s and doctoral degrees.
Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy
The Wuppertal Institute is an implementation-oriented research institute with roots in the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia and a global horizon. Together with our stakeholders, we shape transformation processes aimed at a future in which global warming is reduced to a tolerable level and Earth’s resources are managed in such a way that all of its inhabitants can enjoy a good life.
Institute for Art and Innovation
The Institute for Art and Innovation (IFAI Berlin) is specialized in the SSH integration. It facilitates purpose-driven interventions at the intersection of art, science and technology catalyzing regenerative transformation.
Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Polish Academy of Sciences
Stanisław Leszczycki Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences (IGSO PAS) was founded in 1953 (initially as the Institute of Geography PAS). The Institute is an important research centre in Poland in the fields of socio-economic geography, physical geography as well as spatial organization.
Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun
It is one of the largest universities in Poland that provides graduate and postgraduate courses for 18 331 students, offering education in over 100 fields of study and 55 postgraduate courses. NCU took part in the competition of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education “Excellence Initiative – Research University” and – as one of 10 Polish universities – has obtained the status of a research university.
City of Matosinhos
Matosinhos is a Portuguese city located in the sub-region of the Porto Metropolitan Area, belonging to the North region and the district of Porto.
It is the seat of the municipality of Matosinhos, which has a total area of 62.42 km2, 172,557 inhabitants in 2021 and a population density of 2,764 inhabitants/km2, subdivided into 4 parishes.
