Preparing a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) is a complex undertaking. Guidelines developed with the Commission's support offer concrete suggestions on how to apply the SUMP concept and prepare an urban mobility strategy that builds on a clear vision for the sustainable development of an urban area. This process of developing and implementing a SUMP can be broken down into 12 main steps:

Step 1: Set up working structures

Step 2: Determine the planning framework

Step 3: Analyse mobility situation

Step 4: Build and jointly assess scenarios

Step 5: Develop vision and strategy with stakeholders

Step 6: Set targets and indicators

Step 7: Select measure packages with stakeholders

Step 8: Agree on actions and responsibilities

Step 9: Prepare for adoption and financing

Step 10: Manage implementation

Step 11: Monitor, adapt and communicate

Step 12: Review and learn lessons

SUMP Guidelines

The guidelines are intended for local authorities, urban transport, and mobility practitioners, as well as other stakeholders involved in the preparation of a SUMP. Each step of the plan development process is illustrated with good practice examples, tools and references to further information.

The guidelines can be viewed and downloaded here. 

The guidelines originally produced between 2010 and 2013 as part of a service contract for the European Commission have been comprehensively updated and supplemented with additional documents following extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, practitioners, and experts.

SUMP Self-Assessment Tool

The SUMP Self-Assessment Tool enables planning authorities to assess a plan’s compliance with the European Union’s SUMP concept and guidelines, both during the development of the plan and once the plan is completed.

Self-assessment is based on 100 clear and transparent questions following the steps in the SUMP planning cycle. The results help planning authorities understand the strengths and weaknesses of the planning process.

The tool is available to use for free on a non-commercial basis.

SUMP Glossary

The aim of the SUMP Glossary is to provide a single resource for practitioners to find a brief explanation of specialist terms and abbreviations related to the subject of sustainable urban mobility planning. The Glossary has been prepared by a team of experts reviewing relevant reports, guidance documents and existing glossaries. 

The SUMP planning cycle: