For many years, the mayor of the municipality of Kaufungen has given citizens an overview of the specific investments and expenses of the past and coming financial year at the end of the year. This year, the focus was on climate protection and transport. In her keynote speech, Dr. Melanie Herget, research assistant at the Department of Transport Planning and Transport Systems at the University of Kassel, addressed key challenges and solutions for sustainable mobility in rural areas. She emphasized that a local traffic turnaround requires not only fast and easy-to-use local public transport, but also supplementary, flexible feeder options that are supported by the entire population. In addition to car-sharing and bike-sharing services, the research assistant also cited the expansion of a safe cycle path network and alternative options in the form of delivery services from local suppliers or mobile leisure activities as examples. "Implementing the transport transition is complex and requires a major structural change at all levels," says Dr. Herget, "but it can be done!"

Press release from the municipality: https://www.kaufungen.eu/Rathaus-Politik/B%C3%BCrger-Innenbeteiligung-und-Gemeindeentwicklung/B%C3%BCrger-Innenhaushalt/B%C3%BCrger-Innenhaushalt-2024/