11th June 2023
2min

A series of conferences putting the future of mobility on trial

  • Continuing its approach of working with partners to jointly construct innovative mobility solutions based on observing local lifestyles, Keolis is organising a series of conference-debates focused on the key future challenges facing mobility and public transport, in partnership with Usbek & Rica.

  • Staged and choreographed in the form of trials, these events, which will be held in several French towns and cities in 2023, are an opportunity to investigate and discuss themes as diverse as electric mobility in relation to climate issues (22 June in Nancy), alternatives to private cars outside cities (10 July in Châteauroux), the prospect of “fortress cities”, universal accessibility and the right to mobility.

There will be no discussions behind closed doors or mistrials at the Future Generations Mobility Tribunals. While the idea is certainly to question the major questions of future mobility, and transport-related issues more generally, the goal is to place the future of mobility at the centre of the public debate by openly discussing the challenges ahead and nurturing thinking about possible solutions, while raising public awareness of the importance of more sustainable, inclusive mobility for each and every passenger.

The unusual format of these participatory events builds on the approach Keolis has been developing for over 10 years with its Keoscopie observatory: placing individuals and local areas at the heart of its research, analysing today’s new habits and lifestyles to better invent tomorrow's mobility solutions alongside local authorities.

A plea for the mobility of Future Generations

To make the exercise a reality, Keolis has chosen to work with Usbek & Rica, the media that explores the future, adapting the original format of its Tribunal for Future Generations to the themes of mobility and public transport. In each of the towns along the route of the French tour organised by Keolis, a specific theme is examined and questioned through the framework of a court case: electric mobility in Nancy; alternatives to cars in less dense areas in Châteauroux, etc. A court will be established for each of these themes. On stage, a judge, a defence lawyer and a prosecutor will take it in turns to investigate, cross-examine and defend the subject, while expert witnesses will testify to inform the jury, picked at random from the audience, which will then be called upon to deliver a verdict in the name of future generations. Finally, a courtroom artist will sketch the trial live as if it was a real court case attracting media coverage.

Before the Tribunals, Usbek & Rica will call on its readership to contribute to the debate by sharing the theme to be examined in the SOS section of its website.

Programme for the Future Generations Mobility Tribunals

  • 22 June in Nancy : Will electric mobity save the climate?

  • 10 July in Châteauroux : Can you get by without a car outside cities ?

  • 3rd session : to be announced

  • 4th session : to be announced