polisMOBILITY 2022: Urban, electric, smart - a stage for better mobility

Today in Cologne, the first edition of the newly established polisMOBILITY trade platform kicks off, featuring a mix of exhibition, conference, and event in the Cologne Exhibition Halls, the city, and via live stream on the Internet, focusing on the world of sustainable urban mobility. For four days, the future challenges of urban mobility are at the forefront, as outlined by the organizer Koelnmesse. The guiding question is: "How do we want to make our living reality, our cities, and regions livable in the future?" Instead of a mere exhibition, the intention is to create a cross-industry discussion and participation forum for the future of mobility and urban life, making it an experience in the exhibition halls, in the city center, and on the web.

“With polisMOBILITY, we are addressing the societal challenge of sustainable mobility. We want to contribute to the success of the mobility transition by creating a common dialogue and design space for all relevant actors,” emphasizes Oliver Frese, COO of Koelnmesse.

More than 100 exhibitors in Hall 1 of Koelnmesse

A total of 109 exhibitors from nine countries are presenting their concepts, ideas, and solutions for sustainable mobility in Hall 1 at the Cologne Exhibition Center. Additionally, there are over 40 partners driving the mobility transition project: 15 public, 11 private, 10 conference, and 8 media partners, including VISION mobility. Among others, participants include the Association of German Cities and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. Scientific expertise from the Transport Division of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) adds important facets to the mobility theme. The exhibitors cover the entire spectrum of urban mobility. The automotive sector is represented by companies such as Toyota, Ford, and micro-mobility manufacturer Birò. The charging segment includes companies like TankE, Shell with Ubitricity, and ebee/Bender.

Companies like Deutsche Telekom, Mobileye, and EasyPark represent solutions for Smart City. Naturally, the sharing and mobility services sector is also represented. Here, notable manufacturers include Tier, Dott, KVB, and Green Mobility. The problem of the last mile is addressed by companies such as Dachser, Urban Mobility, and Duck Train. Science is represented by DLR and TH Köln. Institutions from NRW and the federal government, such as the National Charging Infrastructure Coordination Center and Autobahn GmbH, can also be found in Hall 1.

Top-level conference as a key pillar

At the accompanying conference, leading thinkers in the industry will present their ideas and visions. The goal is to develop cooperative solution approaches and discuss international pilot projects and use cases. An open content program in the halls is freely accessible to visitors and complemented by established conferences and modern dialogue formats. The mix of content and networking aims to create new interaction opportunities. Approximately 200 nationally and internationally renowned speakers will address the challenges associated with the transformation of cities and regions. These include, among others, Prof. Uwe Schneidewind, Mayor of Wuppertal, Katja Schechtner, Visiting Scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Prof. Jan Gehl, architect, practicing urban planning consultant, and professor of urban planning at the School of Architecture in Copenhagen.

“We increasingly experience mobility in our cities as immobility. With polisMOBILITY, we bring together knowledgeable actors in urban mobility from politics, administration, business, science, and society to develop new solutions together and learn from each other. We also discuss modern mobility offerings and ideas with the people of Cologne, put them to a practical test, and make our city a real lab for the coming days. Because the theoretically best ideas only benefit us if they also prove to be practical," promotes Henriette Reker, Mayor of Cologne.

startupHUB: Young ideas for the mobility of tomorrow

On the startupHUB, new concepts and thinking approaches are to be fostered. The urban mobility of the future needs fresh ideas, so a dedicated exhibition space is consciously given to up-and-coming young companies. As a program highlight, young companies will present their ideas live on stage in elevatorPITCHES on May 19, 2022. This year, 25 companies have already registered.

Maximum agility, minimal emissions: Mobility in professional everyday life

Urban centers also thrive on and with commercial activities, which is also intended to be reflected. Whether craftsmen, delivery services, or service providers for food, medications, and courier shipments – numerous alternatives to the classic white delivery van are now firmly part of the streetscape. In particular, micro-mobility and two-wheelers – from alternative-powered transporters to electric bikes and cargo bikes – are characterized by outstanding agility, low traffic space requirements, and especially low emissions, as outlined by the organizer. In collaboration with the NRW Chamber of Crafts and the Cologne Chamber of Crafts, further solutions for all forms of professional mobility are presented.

The special significance is underscored by an agreement between the cities of Bonn and Cologne and the relevant chambers of crafts in the region. The signing of the agreement "E-Mobility in the Craft Business in the Cologne Bonn Region" will take place on Friday (20.5., 1:40 PM – 2:00 PM) on the activeSTAGE on the occasion of the transport policy forum "What Moves the Craft Sector".

cityHUB offers future mobility to experience

Between Rudolfplatz and Friesenplatz, the 34 exhibitors do not limit themselves to discussing theoretical solutions: In the cityHUB, modern and sustainable vehicles from electric cars to cargo bikes are tangible and "experiential" for everyone. Manufacturers from different industries will explain the added value of their solutions for the smart city of the future on-site. In close cooperation with the City of Cologne, important traffic arteries of the city will be closed during the event, allowing citizens to experience and try out new vehicle concepts up close.