Topic Months

March 2026: Study results

Our research year is coming to an end: Six of seven surveys have already been completed, and 14 workshops have been held in the citizen science research groups. Fifty-four research portfolios have been evaluated together with the citizen scientists. Here we provide a first glimpse of the results. 

February 2026: How does change work?

In order for everyone to be able to get around in a healthy and environmentally friendly way, a lot needs to change: not only our everyday behavior, but also the planning of roads and paths, as well as laws and regulations. To achieve this, it is important that the government, businesses, and citizens work together effectively. But who exactly are these stakeholders? And what specific measures will help to bring about real change in our mobility? 

January 2026: Stories of success

This month, we want to use a few examples to show how citizens have successfully campaigned for fairer mobility. Especially in these challenging times, positive developments sometimes get lost in the shuffle. However, these success stories can point to new paths and enrich and inspire civic engagement. From the numerous achievements, we present four selected examples here. 

December 2025: Justice

Mobility is fair when everyone has equal opportunities to move around in a self-determined and safe manner. At the same time, mobility should cause as little environmental damage as possible. But how can the fairness of land distribution and other aspects of mobility be assessed in Berlin? And what other fairness issues need to be considered, for example when it comes to costs?

Image: Total area of bike paths, railways, and roads in Berlin, including parking spaces and parking lots (Berlin 2017).

November 2025: Air pollutants and human health

The effects of air pollutants particularly affect people with pre-existing conditions, the elderly and very young people, pregnant women, and anyone who moves slowly. These particularly vulnerable people are shown in orange in the graph. There are many air pollutants in the world. Here we focus on four of them that play a relevant role in Berlin. We present limit values and health risks. 

October 2025: Safe on the road?

Walking, cycling, or using public transport is better for the environment and health. Nevertheless, many people choose to drive. One important reason for this is road safety. Children, older people, and disabled people often feel particularly unsafe when cycling, using a wheelchair, or walking in traffic. What needs to change so that we can all travel safely?

September 2025: Civil society engagement for better mobility

You can participate in shaping society through initiatives, projects, or associations, but also through personal conversations or at work. Those who are involved in civil society actively promote issues such as the common good, social participation, environmental protection, and nature conservation, as well as better mobility. This topic month explores what motivates people to do this, and why it can be more challenging for some than for others.

Tip: We provide an overview over ways to promote good mobility in Berlin.

August 2025: Being mobile despite the heat?

Many people enjoy warm summer days, but others find the rising temperatures difficult to cope with. Heat primarily affects our health, but it also changes our mobility. Our Urban Climate research group has collected many interesting questions on the topic of heat. Some will be answered this month: How does heat affect people? How can we protect ourselves from heat and remain mobile?

The graphic shows important measures for heat protection: Avoiding the midday heat, more urban greenery, climate protection, air-conditioned public transport and rooms, information about heat, public drinking water, more bike lanes and sidewalks, more shaded areas.

July 2025: Urban climate

The climate in the city is different from that of the surrounding countryside. Why is that? There are many more buildings and streets. There are also more heat sources, chimneys and cars that emit air pollutants. All these factors change, for example, how warm it is, how much it rains or snows, how strong the wind blows and how clean the air is.

This topic month explains seven special features or factors of the urban climate: 1) More turbulence develops between buildings and streets. 2) There is more waste heat from human activity. 3) Tall buildings produce more shade and 4) can slow down wind speeds and thus cooling. 5) The sun's rays are reflected more often between the façades, thereby emitting more heat. 6) Soil sealing means that less rainwater can be stored and there is less cooling evaporation. 7) More pollutants accumulate in the air in cities.

June 2025: A just change in mobility

Our study is about healthy and just mobility. But what does “equitable” mean? We present a particularly important model from sustainability research: the donut model (Raworth, 2012/2018). It shows how a good life is possible for everyone without exceeding the ecological limits of the planet. It becomes clear: Mobility must be designed in such a way that it meets the needs of all people and maintains a healthy environment in the future. 

May 2025: Mobility and health risks 

In order to work together on healthy and fair mobility for all, we first look at the health risks that exist in the current mobility system. 

The article (in German only) describes the following risks on the basis of scientific findings: Air pollution, noise, lack of accessibility, collisions resulting in personal injury, lack of physical activity and land sealing. Finally, it also discusses possible solutions.

April 2025: What is moving you?

The kick-off meetings began in early to mid-April. There were a total of 18 kick-off meetings at various locations in Berlin. All participants chose one of these dates. It was the starting signal for their time as citizen scientists in this project.

The meetings were about getting to know each other and introducing the study process. This was followed by the first of five questionnaires in the study. The aim of the theme month is to take a fresh look at one's own mobility: What moves me about this topic?