Evaluation of Measures Aimed at Sustainable Urban Mobility in European Cities–Case Study CIVITAS MIMOSA

The evaluation of measures in the field of sustainable urban transport is a relatively young research area. Within the CIVITAS Initiative –a European Commission co-financed program that supports cities in implementing innovative measures aimed at sustainable urban mobility - evaluation played a key role for the Commission from the beginning. Special horizontal work packages and evaluation support projects were established to support the CIVITAS implementation cities in finding answers to their most vital questions including: What are the outcomes of the measures in the cities? What are successful strategies from which other cities could learn? What are the most cost effective investments? Which measures could serve as good examples for other European cities? In the impact evaluation, the (quantifiable) effects of the measures are of interest. Apart from the direct measurable impacts, in process evaluation the analysis of the mechanisms, why a measure is successful, is investigated. What are the barriers and drivers for the measure and the measure implementation process?The focus of this paper is the evaluation approach of CIVITAS MIMOSA, a project within the current CIVITAS phase entitled CIVITAS PLUS (2008-2012). The paper concludes with an outline for future improved evaluation approaches that could better bridge the gap between theory and practise