The concluding module of our comprehensive topic will concentrate on practical solutions to urban challenges and the feasibility of their implementation. To address the challenges outlined in earlier modules, reinventing the wheel is unnecessary. Numerous cities globally have already established models that can be examined and, if desired, tailored to the specific needs of a locality. This lesson will explore various examples to provide insights into the solutions pertinent to the current issue.

As you might remember, one of the main challenges during the electrification of the mobility transport component is the volume of renewable energy and ensuring sufficient space for electric vehicles and their supporting infrastructure. The electrification of urban transport cannot achieve maximum efficiency without optimally addressing the first factor, and neglecting the second factor would nullify the beneficial impact of using alternative energy sources. The situation is complicated because both of these problems need to be solved simultaneously.

One of the best solutions to these interconnected challenges seems to have been found in Amsterdam at the moment. Its main feature is the direct and practical interconnection of energy production and infrastructure development.

The city authorities of Amsterdam have adopted a program to create a "Zero Emission Zone" by 2030, which includes not only cars and trucks but also urban transport, two-wheeled vehicles, and even ships. This means that to achieve positive results in all these areas, Amsterdam must transition to electric mobility even faster. One of the prerequisites for this transition is the presence of smart and clean charging stations.

Currently, Amsterdam has more than 5,000 public charging points and many more semi-public and private chargers installed throughout the city. The city aims to triple or even quadruple the number of charging points by 2025. This means increasing electricity production and expanding the network's capacity to meet the growing demand.

It should be noted that this challenge can be illustrated by two indicators:

It's not hard to imagine what might happen if at least half of the households, let alone all of them, decide to switch to electric vehicles. This allows us to emphasize once again the idea we've repeatedly mentioned in this course: Electric mobility is more than just replacing internal combustion engine vehicles with electric ones.

To overcome this challenge, the city authorities of Amsterdam have adopted a comprehensive approach that includes the following points:

About 20,000 charging stations and points to be built over the next five years will operate with energy from renewable sources.

It is planned to significantly increase local solar energy production, raising the number of households equipped with solar panels from 5,000 to 92,000.

The city will expand their Flexpower Smart charging network (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNNU4MWhpvM), which optimizes the distribution of electricity to charging stations based on peak consumption patterns and real-time renewable energy production indicators. This means that connected stations can operate at high speed when there is an excess of energy and reduce the charging speed during hours when household demand increases, such as in the evening.

All of this demonstrates that the city authorities of Amsterdam have taken a comprehensive approach by linking the electric mobility strategy with the strategies for Sustainable Mobility and the development of renewable energy, both at the national and local levels. It is no coincidence that Amsterdam's approach has also inspired city authorities in places like Copenhagen, Brussels, Bergen, and others.

In the list of challenges considered in the previous module, particular emphasis was placed on the thoughtful and efficient organization and management of space. Most modern cities are characterized by the continuous accumulation of cars in limited spaces. This is while we also need additional space for infrastructure and logistical solutions.

As in the case of Amsterdam, each city approaches this issue in its own way, proposing solutions that are understandable, acceptable, and harmonious with the city's development plans, while also promoting changes in residents' behavior and the emergence of a new mobility model. For example, experts in the German city of Bremen have calculated that each car-sharing vehicle, in terms of mileage, can replace up to 16 similar private cars. In terms of parking, this allows for about 30 kilometers of space along sidewalks to be made available. On the other hand, it is clear that the use of urban spaces is a sensitive issue often exploited in the political arena. 

Moreover, subjective factors should not be overlooked, such as the car's role as a status symbol for its owner, which complicates the decision to abandon it. Therefore, solutions should encompass broad, diverse public dialogues and informational campaigns. Following this approach, Bremen has managed to ensure that around 25% of trips within the city are made by bicycle. Additionally, designated areas have been established as nodes for the car-sharing network, enabling residents to seamlessly coordinate their travel in the city by transitioning between different transportation methods as necessary. Remarkably, this model is also adopted by the city administration, which has relinquished its vehicle fleet in favor of an established car-sharing system.

In summarizing the potential challenges and their solutions that we've discussed; the issue of accessibility arises. It can be articulated thus: "Electric mobility must be developed as a business concept while guaranteeing its accessibility to all citizens."

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, stands out in this respect. The city prioritizes accessibility and the efficient utilization of space. It has initiated a program known as KAVALIRS, offering electric vehicles to the elderly, individuals with mobility challenges, and tourists for navigating the historic city center alongside pedestrians. These vehicles travel at approximately 25 km/h, similar to electric bicycles, and have a capacity for five passengers. The service is complimentary and can be accessed via a mobile app.

To summarize the theme of this module's video, we can underscore several fundamental principles that facilitate the resolution of prevalent issues:

• Extensive adoption of alternative or renewable energy sources across public and private sectors.

• Seamless integration of infrastructure into existing environments.

• Creative and adaptable approaches to align energy consumption peaks in homes and public charging facilities.

• Wide-ranging public dialogue and participation in the reform of transportation systems and educational outreach.

• Technological advancements that guarantee the availability of contemporary mobility options, in conjunction with community-based social initiatives.

You will be able to familiarize yourself with some practical examples of the application of these solutions and theoretical approaches in the other parts of this module.