[SCEWC2024] Experts stress equity and public support for the future of urban air mobility

Amid growing urban congestion across Europe, industry leaders are exploring a potential solution: urban air mobility (UAM). On Nov. 5, at the Smart City Expo World Congress, experts discussed how this emerging technology could address transportation challenges and reduce pressure on overcrowded streets. The session, moderated by Rikesh Shah, head of Innovation Procurement Empowerment at the Centre Connected Places Catapult, included insights from Manon Coyne of POLIS Network and Cesar Nava of AENA, Spain’s airport operator.

The discussion began with a focus on urban congestion, safety, and sustainability challenges. Coyne discussed POLIS Network’s role in fostering collaboration among local authorities and innovation communities to explore UAM’s feasibility. “We aim to ensure that innovation serves the public interest,” she said, stressing the importance of solutions that are accessible to all urban residents. Founded in 1989, POLIS has worked on sustainable mobility, with its current UAM and public transportation projects reflecting this mission.

Coyne outlined several EU-funded projects under POLIS, including the Use Space Separation in Europe (USEPE) project, which develops methods for automated drone separation, and the Multimodal Access for Intelligent Airports (MAIA) project, which integrates various transportation methods and technologies within airport infrastructure to improve the travel experience.

Cesar Nava, innovation engineer at AENA; Manon Coyne, project and capital cities working group manager at POLIS Network; and Rikesh Shah, head of innovation procurement empowerment at the Centre for Connected Places Catapult, participate in a session titled "Current and Future Use Cases for Urban Air Mobility" at the Smart City Expo World Congress on Nov. 5, 2024, at Fira de Barcelona's Gran Via venue./Park Su-hyeon

Nava then discussed AENA’s efforts in advanced mobility, focusing on infrastructure to support UAM. He mentioned projects like EUREKA, which aims to integrate vertiports—designated areas for electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft—into European airspace. Through EUREKA, AENA is working to develop a cohesive vertiport ecosystem.

The discussion then turned to the social acceptance of UAM, which is often perceived as a luxury service. Coyne stressed the need to challenge this perception, highlighting the importance of equitable access. “Demonstration flights and data collection on noise and environmental impacts are essential for building public trust in these technologies,” she said.

The session concluded with a call for integrating UAM into existing transport networks to ensure its viability within urban infrastructure. Coyne highlighted ongoing research aimed at connecting UAM with public transit and autonomous vehicle networks, while Nava emphasized the need for collaboration among industry, government, and community stakeholders. “We need to consider whether public subsidies should support the launch of these services or how to create a viable business model for the market,” Coyne said. “The connection between the private and public sectors is essential, and we’re fostering this through involvement from innovation stakeholders in our working groups and events. Cities are already beginning to cooperate on these efforts.”