SUMPs in Lithuania

In Lithuania, comprehensive sustainable urban mobility planning is gradually coming to the fore. In 2005, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania has published the Long-term (until 2025) Development Strategy of the Lithuanian Transport System. Even though there are national strategies and plans related to transport development, they are mainly considering planning of new infrastructure and creating functional mobility networks. Nevertheless, sustainability issues have started to gain more attention in transportation planning.

Due to the EU White Paper on Mobility published in 2011, Government of Lithuania became interested in the idea of SUMPs.  In Lithuania, the concept of SUMP is not legally defined as such. National guidelines for implementing SUMP are going to be prepared during 2014. The idea is to combine SUMP development into already existing methods of urban planning. Even though SUMPs have not yet been implemented as comprehensive sustainability plans in mobility planning and the SUMP is a new concept, cities have already familiar with some of the themes related to SUMP. Unlike for many other countries developing SUMPs, in Lithuania, there are also a bit smaller cities by population (30,000 inhabitants and larger) being part of the process. The national budget priorities for 2014-2020 contain dedicated budget lines for supporting SUMP development including training and information services. Cities are expected to prepare the plan themselves, but plans will be agreed upon by a National SUMP Commission (made up of representatives from Transport Ministry, Environmental Ministry, LT Road Association, LT Cyclists Association, and LT Disability Association).

Source: Endurance project