부산대학교 도서관

The impact EU (European Union) policies have at the local level is little understood and explored, especially in the field of urban transport. Yet the EU has a growing influence in the urban transport sphere. This thesis examines the EU’s impact on urban transport policies throughout Europe and assesses whether the EU has contributed to generate sustainable mobility at the local level. It argues that certain EU regulatory policies and funding programmes have had an impact on urban transport policies and have contributed to fostering sustainable mobility policies. Three methods were used for this study: content analysis of interviews with key stakeholders, comparative analysis of key documents in different countries and cities, in particular France and the UK, and surveys of a wide sample of policy makers in European cities. The findings of this study illustrate that the role played by the EU in the field of urban transport is increasingly important. The main EU influence in this field emanates from its environmental policies in a strong yet indirect way, as well as from its funding programmes in a more direct way but with less effect. EU climate change policies’ impact on urban transport is limited but increasing. Finally this study finds that the EU plays an important role in the field of urban transport and that local policy makers generally welcome initiatives and funding emanating from the European Commission. Discussion and recommendations are formulated highlighting the increasing importance supranational institutions such as the EU play in fostering sustainable urban mobility in collaboration with actors across different levels.