The breakfast conference “Mobility and the Growing Territorial Divide: Mind the Gap”, hosted by The Mobility Sphere, will take place in Porto on March 24, from 8:15 to 10:30 a.m.

Through The Mobility Sphere, a European dialogue platform initiated by Transdev in 2023, public and private stakeholders as well as academic experts are brought together to reflect on the major transformations shaping mobility systems across Europe and to co-design innovative and inclusive solutions. Since its launch, the initiative has led to discussions in Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, and Visby (Sweden), addressing key issues such as social cohesion, circularity and the evolution of mobility models.

This Porto edition will focus on the growing divide between dense urban centres and low-density territories, and its implications for mobility systems, as well as for social and territorial cohesion. The discussion will explore the key territorial dynamics shaping mobility development and access to opportunities.

The event will bring together a selected audience of senior representatives from public institutions, business leaders and policy experts, fostering a high-level and constructive dialogue.

Guest speakers include:

• António Baldaque da Silva – Professor of Finance and Executive Director of the Centre for Sustainable Finance, Católica Lisbon School of Economics and Business. 
• Carlos Oliveira Cruz – Professor of Transport Economics, Instituto Superior Técnico.
• Cecília Silva – Professor, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Director of the Research Centre for Territory, Transport and Environment.
• François Gemenne – IPCC Lead Author, Scientific Advisor, The Mobility Sphere.
• José Ribau Esteves - President of the Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Centro (CCDR-Centro)