Welcome to the UNLOCK15-Toolbox - we are collecting tools to empower „agents of change“ from civil society as well as city officials to unlock existing lock-ins. We hope you will find some relevant tools to drive change towards mobility transition in your context!
From experience, three types of tools are need for real change: tools to create and communicate evidence, tools to envision possible futures and scenarios and participatory tools for on-site action.
This type of tools help you to collect evidence, which supports the change you are aiming for. Some tools also allow crowd-based approaches to involve citizens in a broad manner. Evidence helps to convince decision makers to back-up change.
The flowers are a planning tool that invites participants to look beyond their current travel routines by imagining instead how they would like to get around. This perspective grounds accessibility planning in people's needs and desires, helping make cities more livable, sustainable, and fair.
Collaboratively mapping maps about a neighbourhood can shed light on factors that influence everyday transport-related decisions.
Collecting data on how people use space can give you a solid foundation to discuss how it should be designed. The free public live app helps you to collect the data you need when observing people. The second link leads you to a website where you can download an analog version with excel sheets. The picture is an example how you could visualise the collected data, done by urban design studio prostorož.
more tools for Evidence…
In this category you find tools that help you to create a vision of what you are aiming for. A strong vision is key for driving change because it helps you to grow as a movement and to shift public opinions. This category also includes tools that help you envision how you want to work together as a group.
There are several digital to do lists out there, that can help you as a group to organise projects, assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress collaboratively. Trello is free until ten collaborators, wekan and kanboard are completely open source.
The Five Whys is a simple yet powerful research method from human-centered design. Starting with a broad question about a person's habits or behaviours, you ask "why" five times in a row — not horizontally ("why else?") but vertically, going deeper with each answer until you uncover the emotional and human roots of a problem. The method takes only about 15 minutes, requires nothing more than pens and paper, and is designed to get to the core of a person's beliefs and motivations.
A plenary for emotions is a structured group format that creates dedicated space for emotions and interpersonal dynamics within a collective or initiative — separate from task-oriented or decision-making meetings. Rather than pushing emotions to the margins of group life, the Emo-Plenum treats them as essential information: a signal about the health, motivation, and tensions within the group.
It is recommended to have a person that facilitates the plenary. This means guiding through the structure and keeping an eye on the time. This is how a Plenary of Emotions can be structured:
- Round: Each person expresses how they feel. In regards to the group but also in general. Resist the temptation to react to what has already been said and focus on yourself. The round is finished when everybody has shared something.
- Round: In the same order as before people can react to what has been said by others. The focus lies on validating and relating to emotions of others not jumping into problem solving mode right away. The round can go as long as people have to say something.
- Round: Collect next steps from what has been said. This can happen but doesn't have to.
more tools for Vision…
Small steps towards the realisation of local change can help to make the vision tangible and also easier to be discussed. Tools for action help to make the impact of change tangible and involve local communities.
The Place Mobil is a cargo bike that takes up two parking spaces when unfolded. However, as it is officially classified as a bicycle, it can be parked anywhere in public spaces (including parking lots) free of charge and legally.
Using simple tools such as ropes and a group of volunteers, pop-up bike lanes can be registered as a demonstration yet still allow for traffic flow to continue - but with a new division of space.
By setting up a table in the street, a big print of the layout of your street and pens you can provide a fun way to develop ideas for greening, traffic calming and street furniture. You could discuss with passers-by what uses they would like to see, what space is needed for them, and what ideas they can come up with. From a simple cycle path to a vibrant street park! If you live in Vienna, the platform WirMachenWien can assist and do the workshop with you.
more tools for Action…