In a rapidly changing world marked by the climate emergency, remote working, and digitalisation, the traditional transport planning approach of ‘Predict and Provide’ is no longer fit for purpose: it typically leads to the building of even more roads, typically resulting in issues around congestion and pollution.
In recognising the need for resilience and social transformation, global engineering, management, and development consultancy, Mott MacDonald, in collaboration with UWE Bristol have developed FUTURES, a forward-thinking and vision-led planning tool based on an alternative approach: ‘Decide and Provide’.
FUTURES stands for “Future Uncertainty Toolkit for Understanding and Responding to an Evolving Society”. It aims to support decision-making in strategic planning, vision setting, and the development of effective strategies to manage uncertainties. It therefore assists organisations to implement appropriate policies, whilst engaging stakeholders, leveraging technologies, and enhancing organisational capabilities.
FUTURES presents those involved in transport planning with a pragmatic and usable approach which allows them to reflect on our changing world. It gives them more confidence in making decisions for a more resilient future that addresses challenges around Net Zero, whilst taking into account the needs and visions of those affected by those decisions.
In our latest Changemakers Podcast, Glenn Lyons, Mott McDonald Professor of Future Mobility at UWE Bristol, and Annette Smith who heads up the Future Mobility Team at Mott MacDonald introduce the FUTURES toolkit to a wider audience.
Listeners will learn about the journey the programme has been on, from its inception to where it is now, the learnings and challenges so far, and the hopes and plans for the next steps. For more information and how to get in touch visit the interactive FUTURES guide on the Mott MacDonald website.
Listen to the podcast: