A “colourful and loud movement for liveable cities”is the motto of Changing Cities. As an association, network and activist group in Germany, Changing Cities aims to create awareness of problems associated with a heavy dependence of mobility on automobiles. The movement inspires people to initiate change on a local level, and supports civic engagement across many cities in Germany. Based in Berlin, Changing Cities is involved in a range of campaigns around equitable and inclusive mobility, urban spaces and sustainable neighborhoods. The initiative develops projects and campaigns from people’s lived experiences of living in a car-centric city. Its lobby work seeks to change political and public discourse away from a car-centric concept of mobility to support climate protection and road safety in equitable ways, e.g. for children or senior citizens. 

The movement started with a referendum in 2016 in Berlin, has branched out to focus on single districts, and is now a national network of citizens and initiatives who are engaged in a more bicycle-friendly city. Initiatives by Changing Cities go beyond cycling: They want to enable all people to participate in civil society and pool their knowledge. Taken from that, people in other cities also gather to improve local conditions for cyclists – in line with the “Berlin model”. Changing Cities provides overarching organisation and support for strengthening the initiatives’ outcome across networks in Germany.  

One of their concrete actions is the annual #TourDeVerkehrswende (#TourDeMobilityTransition): In August 2023, for example, Changing Cities cycled from Bremerhaven (city in the North-West of Germany) via Wolfsburg (city in the mid of the country) to Berlin. Their mission: Calling on people’s consciousness to adopt eco-mobility such as walking, cycling, and public transport – a rethinking of mobility behaviours. In previous years, the tours were raising awareness on feminist mobility policy and inclusivity, or highlighted the ecological structural change as is taking place in other European cities such as Paris. 

Around 700 people have become directly active in recent years: Behind Changing Cities there are numerous members, volunteer helpers, and a coordinating office team – everyone interested can participate.  

You can learn more about Changing Cities on their website, or their different social media channels.

(FG)