Autonomous Vehicles (AV), or self-driving vehicles, promise widely available, low-cost, clean, door-to-door transport forpeople and goods. Widespread use on Europe’s roads is anticipated by the 2030s and is expected to have numerous societal implications for equity, health, economy, and governance resulting in potential impacts on city development and design (from Street to district- and regional development). Many cities (plan to) start experimenting with AV in Europe. However, integration of AV in spatial planning has yet to start. This is urgent as cities plan district (re)developments, transport infrastructure and related investments decades ahead. SUV aims to stimulate the up-take of electric, shared AV by developing green transport and spatial planning strategies that incorporate AV.

SUV connects within NSR 4 local/transport authorities (UK, DE, NL and SE), 4 knowledge groups and 3 network organisations that will:

• Develop and improve green transport and spatial planning strategies for the 4 participating local-and transport authorities.

• Prepare a publiciy available series of expert ahalysis on the socio-economic impact of AV.

• Create an open and scalable innovation community connecting cities/regions and knowledge providers on AV;

• Impiement 4 urban/regional AV piiots (minimum level 4) integrated with other, existing transport modes; Through international think-thanks such as RICS and POLIS, local insights will be linked to international strategies and ensures broad uptake.

The Social and Economic Geography (SEG) Research group at the Department of Geography of Ghent University focuses on three research pillars: travel behaviour analysis and city logistics urban geography and world city formation territorial organisation and spatial planning Within PAV, the SEG research group will focus on the social consequences of AVs for the different AV scenarios. The main focus will be on the users of AVs and how AVs impact social inclusiveness due to changed accessibility and equity. SEG will work on the social scenarios, social impact assessment, and acceptance surveys. The results will be turned into recommendations for authorities on how to achieve a social inclusive mobility system by developing green transport and spatial planning strategies with AVs included.