How to make Urban Transport more Sustainable?

On the evening of Thursday 9 February 2023 the section kicked off its 2023 programme of events with a Café Chimique on 'Sustainable Transport' at the British School of Brussels in Tervuren. 

For our society,  one of the greatest challenges is to plan and invest wisely for sustainable transport. Transport plays a crucial role in economic development by providing access for people to education, markets, employment, recreation, health care and other key services not to mention enabling the movement of goods. Enhancing mobility for all parts of society is one of the most important preconditions for achieving economic, environmental and social goals.

In reality, transportation systems in most urban areas are far from ideal. Motorised modes still dominate and traffic congestion is ubiquitous making a significant impact on local and national GDP, degrading the urban environment and affecting citizens’ health and quality of life.

What are the solutions? What does a sustainable transport system look like? How can it be achieved? How will it be fuelled? What new or existing technologies are needed to make such systems happen? Where can the chemical sciences help? And what else is needed in terms of cultural or behavioural change by citizens?

For the debate RSC Belgium members and friends were joined by two speakers to (hopefully) find some answers to these questions and more. Section chair Prof Bob Crichton introduced the two speakers.

Prof Samuel Furfari is a recognized authority on energy policy based in Brussels. Following a 36 year career with the European Commission's DG Energy, he was appointed as a professor of geopolitics of energy at various universities including at the Université Libre de Bruxelles. He is President of the European Society of Engineers and Industrialists.

After 21 years at the UK Transport Research Laboratory, Paul Kompfner moved onto the European stage in 1992, to help set up Europe's first multi-sector partnership for deployment of intelligent mobility. Now independent following 25 years at ERTICO-ITS Europe, he is working with various projects to promote sustainable mobility of people and goods in cities

Our two speakers provided short introductory talks that was followed by an audience led Q&A discussion. As with our previous Cafe Chimiques the audience will be seated in a relaxed café-style format and a gratis bar and snacks were throughout  the evening. 

The presentations and debate were recorded is now available via our YouTube channel or below. Enjoy!