Innovation and Sustainable Solutions for Mobility in Rural Areas: A Comparative Analysis of Case Studies in Europe

Muhammad Junaid (), Maddalena Ferretti and Giovanni Marinelli
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Muhammad Junaid: DICEA, Department of Construction, Civil Engineering and Architecture, Università Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM), 60121 Ancona, Italy
Maddalena Ferretti: DICEA, Department of Construction, Civil Engineering and Architecture, Università Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM), 60121 Ancona, Italy
Giovanni Marinelli: SIMAU, Department of Science and Engineering of Matter, Environment and Urban Planning, Università Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM), 60121 Ancona, Italy

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-36

Abstract: Rural areas in Italy and Europe, while vital to agriculture and tourism, face transport limitations that restrict access to essential services, education, and jobs, deepening socio-economic exclusion. Transport policies often prioritize urban centers, leaving rural areas underfunded and with inadequate options, making daily mobility and economic development challenging. This study examines good practices from different EU countries, using a holistic case study approach, combining a literature review and analysis of implemented projects. A more nuanced understanding of successful rural mobility solutions throughout Europe is supported by this mixed technique. This hybrid analytical approach facilitates the identification of effective good practices that produce innovation in social engagement and inclusivity. This study’s conclusions highlight the potential of customized mobility solutions with inclusivity at their heart to effectively solve the particular difficulties encountered by rural communities. In contrast to urban areas, which have diverse and well-developed transportation networks, rural populations frequently face a lack of mobility options. This study demonstrates how tailored strategies, like delivering services right to people’s doorsteps, repurposing pre-existing infrastructure, or providing volunteer rides that link an isolated population to other communities, can close accessibility gaps that have long kept these populations apart.

Keywords: rural areas; sustainable mobility; inclusivity; mobility innovation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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