The thesis emphasizes the transformation towards sustainable mobility and the role of urban planning for such transformation.

The aim of this thesis is to provide a comprehensive overview of different examples of solving the so-called “the first and last-mile problem” (FMLM) (which is conceptualized as a major problem for the transformation towards sustainable forms of travel) which have been tested or implemented in European cities, as well as provide an understanding of the role of the planner in these examples. The following questions were asked: What solutions to the “First and last-mile” transportation problem are currently being tested in European cities? And what is the role of urban planning in enabling the different solutions?

In order to answer the first research question, a comprehensive mapping was carried out, comprising of a literature- and an internet review. The identified solutions for the “first and last-mile” were grouped into two different categories the station-based — these include car-sharing, bike-sharing, ridesharing — and free-floating solution — including car-sharing, autonomous vehicles, bike-sharing, e-scooters, scooters, taxi-/ridesharing. The second research question was answered by interviewing transportation planners and project managers in Sweden and Finland about their perceived role regarding these different solutions. The analyses showed that urban planners adopt different roles in the solution-finding process, depending on the solution and the framework within the municipality. The three dominante roles that are taken by planners are the Regulator, Partner and Promoter.