Implementation of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans in Polish Agglomerations
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the degree of implementation of sustainable mobility policies in selected Polish metropolitan areas within the framework of the European Union’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP). The study aims to identify key determinants affecting the effectiveness of mobility strategies at the local level and assess their compliance with European standards for integrated and sustainable urban transport planning. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was conducted using a survey among representatives of ten Polish metropolitan areas, based on the SUMP Self-Assessment tool developed by the European Commission’s Eltis platform. The questionnaire included 100 closed-ended questions divided into nine thematic sections, allowing the classification of cities according to the level of policy implementation. The analysis combined quantitative results with qualitative interpretations of national and local transport strategies, such as The National Urban Policy 2023, Transport Development Strategy until 2020 (with an Outlook to 2030), and State Transport Policy for 2006–2025. Findings: The study reveals a high degree of variation in the implementation of sustainable mobility policies across Polish metropolitan areas. Warsaw achieved the highest score (76 points), followed by Poznań, Kraków, Lublin, and Gdańsk, while Łódź and Bydgoszcz obtained the weakest results. The findings indicate that institutional capacity, stakeholder participation, and financial resources play decisive roles in successful implementation. Moreover, many strategic documents were created mainly to satisfy EU funding requirements rather than local developmental needs, reducing their practical applicability. Practical Implications: The results highlight the need for enhanced coordination between national and regional transport policies and the adoption of more inclusive, participatory approaches in urban mobility planning. The methodology and findings provide local governments with diagnostic insights useful for developing integrated, evidence-based, and sustainable mobility strategies aligned with EU guidelines. Originality/Value: This paper offers one of the first comprehensive assessments of SUMP implementation in Polish metropolitan contexts. It presents an original framework for evaluating the maturity of local mobility strategies and identifying areas requiring improvement to achieve sustainable urban transport.