Rethinking How People and Places Connect: My Research on Mobility Hubs

Around a month ago, the Winners of the 2025 RTPI Research Excellence Awards were announced. The awards recognised and celebrated a huge variety of interesting and thought-provoking research topics, and so it was an honour to be announced as the winner of the Student Dissertation Award. My Dissertation explored how a holistic approach to planning and design could shape mobility hub networks in the UK, and aimed to identify approaches that deliver settlement-wide mobility hub networks, moving beyond visions and concepts to built-out hubs that seamlessly form part of our transport systems.

Transport systems play a central role in society, and with challenges like climate change, there has never been a more important time to start exploring innovative solutions, such as mobility hubs, to help achieve a modal shift. We have an opportunity to decarbonise transport systems and move away from private vehicles, making journeys more seamless, accessible and attractive.

The research looked at case studies both in the UK and abroad, and identified transferable strategies and design decisions that could be applied to the UK context. Most notably the new Hoppinpunt Network in Belgium and the Local Travel Points in the West Midlands. The Hoppinpunt network is one of the first large-scale mobility hub networks delivered in Europe, aiming to deliver 2,000 mobility hubs across the Flanders region by 2030. The network builds on existing infrastructure, coordinating different operators under a unified system and brand, co-locating transport options in accessible and identifiable hubs. At a smaller scale, Local Travel Points in the West Midlands are a growing network of mobility hubs, which introduce new transport infrastructure under the Transport for West Midlands family. Beginning as ‘Gold’ accredited pilot hubs, the Local Travel Points are looking to expand across the region.

A common thread throughout the findings was the importance of clear and joined-up thinking, supported by guidance from public authorities. There’s need for a clear vision and direction, with a dedicated resource in the authority that can produce an actionable strategy, design requirements, that is able to deliver and maintain a network of hubs, supported by delivery from private developments.

The research and outcome of the Dissertation, does not provide a one-size-fits-all answer for design and delivery. In fact, it looks to generate discussion on the untapped potential that mobility hubs could create. It looks to provide inspiration on how mobility hubs could be planned, designed and delivered, grounded in built examples.

This research wouldn’t have been possible without the support, guidance and input from my colleagues at David Lock Associates, the Academy of Urbanism, ITP, Oxfordshire County Council, and Transport for West Midlands. This broad spectrum of organisations provided a willing contribution that enriched the research and underscored the importance of evolving our transport systems. A final thanks go to the RTPI for the award, and to everyone who has shown interest in the research. I hope it helps continue the conversation, as we evolve and rethink how people and places can better connect through more inclusive and sustainable transport design.