From mobility to accessibility: human-centric design in practice
This panel makes the case for empathetic mobility and introduces a shift from moving people efficiently to enabling equitable access to opportunities, services, and public life. We’ll ask the crucial question too often skipped: “What does inclusion actually mean: for whom, and in what context?”
Drawing on European case studies, speakers will explore how to translate lived experiences, across ages, genders, abilities, and socio‑economic backgrounds, into concrete design choices. We connect feelings and need to behavior (safety, stress, connection, autonomy), and behavior to infrastructure, moving from reactive fixes to proactive, co-created solutions that reduce barriers and tackle mobility poverty. Rather than reinventing the wheel, we integrate existing tools for safety, accessibility, comfort, and equity into an iterative, human-centered practice that helps everyone feel welcome in public space.
Speakers
Marco van Burgsteden is a leading expert in mobility and spatial development, currently serving as a Project Manager and Knowledge Manager at CROW, the Dutch national platform for infrastructure and transport. As one of the architects behind the national guidelines for parking and urban accessibility, Marco plays a pivotal role in shaping how the built environment in the Netherlands is planned and executed. He is also a PhD Candidate at the University of Twente, where he researches the integration of "Broad Prosperity" (Brede Welvaart) into mobility policy.
At the forefront of modernizing urban planning, Marco advocates for a shift from "autopilot" engineering to strategic, vision-led decision-making. He specializes in transforming transport issues from a development bottleneck into a tool for housing affordability and climate adaptation. His expertise covers the full lifecycle of area development—from the STOMP mobility hierarchy and legal frameworks to the latest 2024 parking standards.
By bridging the gap between academic research and practical application, Marco provides professionals with the frameworks needed to balance mobility, technology, and livability. At Intertraffic, he brings essential insights into the evolution of smart access and parking standards as drivers for sustainable urban growth.
