Rome, March 19, 2026 – The Eurocities Mobility Forum 2026, a key European event dedicated to urban mobility, officially opened its doors on Wednesday, March 18, at the Palazzo Senatorio in Rome’s Campidoglio. This year’s forum marks the 40th anniversary of the Eurocities network and has brought together more than 150 institutional and technical delegations from across Europe to address the crucial challenges of modern urban transport.
Balancing Heritage and Innovation in Urban Mobility
The forum’s central theme, “Heritage nodes, future flows: shaping mobility in timeless cities,” highlights the delicate balance required between preserving historical heritage and developing advanced transportation systems. This challenge is particularly pertinent in a city like Rome, where the substantial tourist influx, while an economic asset, also poses significant logistical and environmental concerns for residents’ quality of life.
Rome’s Mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, and the Councilor for Mobility, Eugenio Patanè, inaugurated the proceedings. Mayor Gualtieri emphasized that cities are tasked with safeguarding their cultural identity while managing large flows of people. He stressed that sustainable tourism is a top priority and underscored the need for “efficient and resilient” mobility systems. Gualtieri also highlighted the invaluable role of collaboration among European cities in sharing solutions and best practices, stating, “European cooperation remains a key element for building increasingly effective and inclusive urban mobility.”
Cities as Key Players in European Dialogue
Councilor Patanè, who also serves as the forum’s vice-president, echoed these sentiments, focusing on the growing influence of cities in discussions with European institutions. “Cities have not only shared good practices but have acted together to be recognized as partners,” Patanè explained, while also calling for greater tools and resources. He described the forum as “a key moment” to strengthen this common path and tackle strategic issues such as sustainable mobility and the role of cities in the European railway network.
The European perspective was further enriched by a video message from Apostolos Tzitzikōstas, the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. His contribution underscored the increasing weight of cities in community policies related to transport and sustainability.
Three Days of Discussions and Site Visits
The forum is scheduled to continue on Thursday, March 19, at Palazzo Valentini and conclude on Friday at Spazio Europa, transforming Rome into a collaborative laboratory for ideas and projects. Participants will also have the opportunity to witness firsthand some of the city’s ongoing mobility transformation projects.
Planned visits include significant infrastructure developments such as Piazza Pia, the Colosseo and Porta Metronia stations of the Metro C line, and the construction site of the future Piazza Venezia stop. The agenda also features sustainable mobility initiatives, including the Grande Raccordo Anulare delle Bici (GRAB) – Rome’s cycling ring road, the Monte Ciocci-Vaticano cycle path, and the Portonaccio bus depot, which is being adapted for Atac’s electric buses. These projects collectively illustrate Rome’s commitment to innovation while preserving its historical legacy.
Source: lacapitale.it
