We sat down with Alan Murphy, Regional Manager at Smart Dublin to find out his predictions for mobility in 2023.
“More Catalytic Governance from public bodies will happen enabling the efficient movement of people (mobility), could be described as a mission-critical service for any functioning society. This is similar to the provision of key services such as electricity, internet connectivity. Given this importance, public bodies must play an increasing role in the enablement and oversight of mobility to ensure it is functioning in a way which benefits its citizens. This is where the role of the Catalytic Governance by public bodies is crucial. In chemistry, a catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. Hence, when it comes to mobility, a Catalytic Governance approach will accelerate the transformation needed in how we move around, and do so whilst ensuring societal objectives are not diluted.
In mobility, examples of Catalytic Governance, led by public bodies, are already happening but will happen even more as public bodies better understand their specific role when it comes to policy, regulation, public realm, technology, etc.
In Ireland, real examples of Catalytic Governance include:
• Policy (Department of Transport) – the Sustainable Mobility Policy includes an action to define a governance framework for the implementation and operation of MaaS to encompass all transport modes nationally.
• Regulation (Councils) – exploring opportunities to harmonise the licencing of micro mobility schemes across the Dublin region (i.e. the four Dublin councils).
• Public Realm (Councils) – the provision of public EV charging infrastructure, mobility hubs, new cycling lane infrastructure, pedestrianisation of streets.
• Technology – MaaS for Ireland Thought Leadership (Smart Dublin), Next Generation Ticketing (National Transport Authority) At Smart Dublin, we are seeing more and more public bodies adopt a Catalytic Governance approach in each of the domains within our smart city programme.
Per domain, there is a coming together of Industry, Academia and Citizens, facilitated by public bodies, to garner their perspectives on how to tackle social challenges, and to create shared objectives and frameworks. Change can no longer be a top-down approach. Now, more than ever, the mobility domain needs a Catalytic Governance approach from our public bodies to enable the transformation we can all envisage.“
Explore more predictions
You can explore more predictions from global thought leaders and visionaries who are shaping the future of mobility, liveable cities and sustainable Transport in our Global Thought Leaders Predictions for Mobility 2023 report.
