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The Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria has embarked on an ambitious journey to redefine its transport system. The Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) is not merely a planning tool, but a true strategic vision aimed at transforming mobility from a “car-centric” system into a sustainable, democratic model oriented toward citizen well-being.
The primary objective of the project has been to enhance accessibility across the entire metropolitan territory. The Plan aims to provide high-quality mobility alternatives, aligning the needs of people and goods with urban development. Key priorities identified include:
- Overcoming the isolation of the inland and mountain areas of the Aspromonte massif.
- Enhancing the “Aeroporto dello Stretto” (Airport of the Strait), establishing it as a central hub for the region.
- Creating an efficient intermodal network that integrates road, rail, and maritime services.
The adopted methodology strictly follows national and European Guidelines, unfolding in a cyclical process that begins with the reconstruction of the Knowledge Framework. Through vehicle flow surveys and public transport investigations, a long-term vision was defined, structured around four fundamental strategic axes: people, the city, the sea, and the mountains. This approach allowed for the formulation of concrete actions in six areas of intervention, ranging from the strengthening of public transport to road safety, through to logistics and the integration of the Strait Area. To guarantee the effectiveness of the proposed solutions, every measure was tested using mathematical simulation models that allowed for the scientific validation of the project scenario compared to the current one.
The expected results describe a radical transformation of the metropolitan system, aiming for decisive decarbonization and network efficiency. The implementation of the Plan aims to bring sustainable mobility — composed of public transport and active mobility — to a 24.7% share of total trips, with a specific increase in LPT of up to 15%. In terms of system performance, the project scenario predicts a 7.4% reduction in both total travel distances and travel times, significantly improving traffic fluidity.
Strategic actions include significant infrastructural interventions, such as the safety upgrading of critical arteries like the SS106, the removal of architectural barriers through PEBAs (Plans for the Elimination of Architectural Barriers), and the renewal of the bus fleet with low-emission vehicles. Particular attention has been dedicated to creating a synergistic bond with Messina for the integration of the Strait and the development of a metropolitan Biciplan (Cycling Plan). In summary, the SUMP transforms mobility in Reggio from a car-centric system to a polycentric and interconnected model, placing the quality of the urban environment and the well-being of citizens at the center of future planning.
In partnership with CSI – Cirianni Studio Ingegneria