As part of the SPINE project, the City of Gdynia organised two pop-up exhibitions to raise awareness of sustainable urban transport and gather feedback from citizens: the Car-Free Day on 21 September 2024 and the Information & Consultation Point at Gdynia Główna Railway Station on 27 November 2024. Both initiatives successfully engaged the public, offering a platform to discover new mobility solutions and share ideas directly with the municipality.
Car-free day – A festival of sustainable mobility
Held in the heart of Gdynia at Constitution Square, the car-free day attracted around 1,000 visitors during the European Mobility Week campaign. The event took the form of an open-air city festival, blending education with entertainment in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.
Visitors explored a display of sustainable vehicles – including the hydrogen-powered NesoBus, electric and trolleybuses, and a vintage trolleybus from the 1950s–60s. The event also featured a live theatre performance, a mobility-themed photo contest, and stands from shared mobility providers.
The day encouraged hands-on interaction: residents tested e-scooters and bikes, enjoyed free rides on public transport, and learned more about low-emission mobility options. Representatives from the city and SPINE project partners were on-site to explain how these solutions contribute to Gdynia’s sustainable mobility goals. The event received enthusiastic feedback, with many praising the mix of innovation, culture, and public dialogue.
Information & consultation point – Shaping the future of Gdynia Główna
A few weeks later, the city set up an all-day pop-up consultation point at Gdynia’s main railway station, welcoming around 400 visitors throughout the day. Organised by the sustainable mobility unit, this initiative focused on collecting citizen input on the redevelopment of the Gdynia Główna transport hub, including a redesign of Constitution Square.
Residents had the chance to view the visual concept of the new space, discuss it with city staff, and share their thoughts. More than 150 comments were collected, offering valuable suggestions on topics such as signage, accessibility, safety, greenery, and available services. Feedback ranged from enthusiastic endorsements (“Super”, “10/10”) to practical advice on wayfinding, seating, and overall comfort.
The consultation point also helped raise awareness of European initiatives such as SPINE and SUMPs for BSR (Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans for the Baltic Sea Region), positioning Gdynia as a forward-thinking city committed to inclusive mobility planning.
During both events, the city team presented key aspects of the SPINE project, highlighting measures to support low-emission transport, intermodal integration, and citizen participation in shaping urban mobility. From showcasing cutting-edge vehicles to co-designing future public spaces, Gdynia demonstrated how pop-up formats can successfully connect long-term strategies with day-to-day citizen experiences.
