The first workshop phase in the MobiQ project also marked the starting point for the collaborative work with the citizens and supporters from the three neighborhoods. To ensure that everyone had the chance to participate in the citizen workshop and contribute their perspective on mobility, we extended an open invitation. After all, neighborhood mobility concepts can only be initiated and implemented when the people on-site become actively involved.

The four-hour citizen workshops in Stuttgart-Rot, Geislingen, and Waldburg were carefully prepared, adapted to the respective conditions, and facilitated by moderators. We started with the personas created in Step 2 and the „Identifying Problems“ phase, so that all participants could get a sense of the issues at hand. Depending on their interests, the participants formed groups, discussed the respective problems, and adjusted the definitions if necessary. At the end of the problem analysis, the groups rephrased their problem definition into a question: „How could we…?“

Next, we presented successfully implemented example projects from other locations (Step 3). This was to excite and inspire the participants. Then, the groups developed creative and feasible concepts for their respective personas on how mobility could be different and, above all, better. Various creative methods, outlined in step 5B, were helpful in this process.

Thus, many good and viable ideas emerged in the citizen workshops: shopping shuttles, citizen or on-demand-buses, carpooling, mobility hubs, and sharing private vehicles.
Additionally the participants planned to implement community streets and to assemble furniture that aims to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood. Another proposal was to establish an action alliance to raise awareness for the needs of the people in the neighborhood.

A total of 30 ideas were generated during the three workshops. In the end, participants selected the ideas that interested them most and on which they were willing to continue working.

After the citizen workshop, the question arose of how to concretely implement the ideas. Project working groups with many committed participants were formed to turn the best ideas from the initial event into reality.

In several meetings, the groups further developed the ideas with great enthusiasm.

The following steps were particularly important:

Early on, the active members in the project groups were encouraged to reflect on how to bring the ideas to life. The project team specifically supported the activities in the project groups through networking and communication. By conducting background research and connecting the groups with experts or representatives of similar projects, we were able to provide additional support.

After the first mobility experiments were implemented and tested, preparations for the second workshop phase began. The goal was to further develop the concepts in detail. Together with the project groups, we analyzed the experiences from the implemented mobility projects.

Subsequently, we brainstormed new ideas on how to further develop and improve the projects to create something long-lasting and sustainable rather than short-lived initiatives. Participants also collaboratively considered untapped possibilities.

Thus, the workshop phase became a continuously recurring process.

After a brief insight into the MobiQ workshop in step 5 A, you will now receive tips and tricks for your own idea workshop. A citizen workshop can only be successful if it is carefully prepared. It is important to be familiar with the location, speak with the involved stakeholders in advance, and thoroughly plan the event.

For creative workshops, it is also essential to view diversity as a significant opportunity. It is beneficial when people with different knowledge, social or cultural backgrounds, and varying perspectives and opinions participate and contribute their skills. When diverse ways of thinking, perspectives, and experiences come together, suitable and, above all, original solutions can emerge.

Moreover, creating a supportive and encouraging atmosphere is particularly important. Participants should feel free to share their thoughts without fear of criticism. There must be room for unpolished and initially uncommented thoughts, encouraging open discussion and unleashing creativity. A moderator is essential in this process. They ensure that mutually agreed-upon rules are followed, provide structure to the workshop, and facilitate discussions, helping people engage with one another. At the same time, flexibility is crucial to respond appropriately to new developments and ideas.

A citizen workshop on the topic of sustainable mobility should inspire from the very beginning. Participants should feel that they can create something together. Opening questions such as „What is your motivation for being here today?“ and „How would you ideally like to move around in the region?“ help explore individual visions, dreams, and ideas for sustainable mobility. This is especially relevant for children, adolescents, and people with limited mobility.

The event emphasizes appreciation for engagement and community. Insights from previous interviews, analyses, and research are integrated into the discussion. Various tools such as city maps, flip charts, moderation walls, note cards, and symbols can be used to document the participants‘ contributions.

Problem Definitions and Personas (Step 2) help participants engage with the topic and develop a shared understanding of the problem. Each participant selects a problem area with which they can identify. This forms small groups, each focusing on a specific problem. If necessary, the problem definition is adjusted and precisely formulated together, e.g., “Older residents in the area cannot participate in events as much as they would like.”

Accurately defining the problem is crucial to avoid repeatedly revisiting it and wasting valuable energy and enthusiasm for creative solutions.

Now it’s time to move from problem analysis to solution finding. The best way to start is by rephrasing the problem as a question, for example: “What if…?” or “How could we…?” This allows creativity to flow freely in the search for the best ideas.

It’s essential to use creative methods and tools to successfully develop ideas. On the following pages, some methods are explained in more detail, such as Design Thinking, brainstorming, and working with visual aids like LEGO® bricks. These or similar methods help structure the workshop process clearly while leaving room for spontaneous thoughts.

As a result, ideas for communal mobility solutions emerge—ones that are practical and encourage further participation.

Then, related ideas can be grouped together. By the end, you can develop concepts, come up with a title for the project, and create a sketch. The sketch helps illustrate how the project can work.

At an idea marketplace, you can present the concepts. Participants then walk through the concepts and choose the ideas they want to implement. Not everything will go smoothly, and most ideas will not be implemented exactly as initially envisioned during the first workshop. However, it is crucial to approach obstacles constructively from the outset.

Good ideas can inspire people and motivate them to actively participate in the implementation and stay committed despite unforeseen setbacks.

Don’t forget to thoroughly follow up and document the event. Ensure that those involved receive support in implementing their ideas. This is demanding and requires effort. Maintaining contact with the local community is essential, which requires time and dedicated contact persons.

Creativity techniques are deliberately used to develop ideas, visions, or solutions. However, this isn’t rocket science. Creativity techniques are tools that stimulate imagination and promote solution-oriented thinking step by step. Welcome to the world of creativity!

Below, we briefly explain some of these techniques.

„Not developing solutions in a sterile environment and then imposing them on the population, but rather trying to co-develop solutions together and genuinely respond to concrete problems or challenges that exist in the local context.“

In this step, local actors, including politics and administration, are also important. Voluntary engagement is not a given. It needs to be actively supported, especially at the municipal level. Regular citizen workshops on various topics can promote engagement. The financial effort is manageable by providing drinks and using municipal spaces, such as citizen or multi-generation houses, as event locations. However, the rooms also need to be appropriately advertised. Local contacts can specifically assist in networking and organizing an event.
Often, municipalities are the ones to conduct citizen workshops to involve and activate people. They have experience in preparing, executing, and following up on events. Additionally, municipalities often have the necessary equipment for creative idea development (e.g., moderation kits, city maps, display boards). When municipalities provide their knowledge and equipment, they can significantly support the organizers.
Consultation and funding opportunities for cities and municipalities are, for example, available from the Alliance for Participation e.V. (allianz-fuer-beteiligung.de).