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Antwerp’s commitment to sustainable urban transport took center stage at this year’s Antwerpen Shift event, held in conjunction with European Car-Free Day. A standout feature of the celebration was the Smart Ways to Antwerp stand, including the SPINE pop-up exhibition, which attracted significant attention for its forward-thinking approach to urban mobility.

The SPINE exhibition gave visitors a firsthand look at the wide range of solutions designed to improve mobility in Antwerp. The highlight of the showcase was the Smart Ways to Antwerp route planner, which allows users to receive personalized route advice tailored to their preferred and/or available transport modes. The planner integrates multimodal transport options, roadworks, the low-emission zone, qualitative cycling and walking routes, shared mobility, real-time information, and multimodal navigation.

One of the most impactful moments occurred when a visitor in a wheelchair praised the newly introduced accessibility map. This feature demonstrated the city’s commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that mobility solutions cater to all residents, also one of the key aspects of SPINE.

While a few visitors expressed concerns about pedestrian representation, the SPINE and Antwerp team was quick to address these by showcasing the pedestrian-friendly features of the route planner, offering specific walking advice to enhance the walking experience in the city. The open dialogue reassured participants, many of whom left with a greater appreciation of the efforts to make walking an integral part of the city’s sustainable mobility ecosystem.

The SPINE pop-up exhibition aligned perfectly with the goals of the Antwerpen Shift event and European Mobility Week, both of which emphasize the importance of reducing car usage in favor of active mobility, public transport and multimodal solutions. By presenting a clear vision for the future of urban transport, SPINE solidified its role in shaping Antwerp’s journey toward a greener, more accessible city.