DynamiCity project : Empowering active mobility for cancer prevention and healthier, climate-neutral cities

University of Twente researchers contribute to EU Horizon project DynamiCity to empower active mobility for cancer prevention and healthier, climate-neutral cities

Researchers from the Transport Studies (TS-CEM) group (M. Baran Ulak and Karst Geurs) and the Biomedical Signals and Systems (BSS) group (Annemieke Witteveen) are contributing to DynamiCity project, a newly funded Horizon Europe project aiming to empower walking, cycling and micro-mobility for cancer survivorship support, possible cancer prevention as well as cleaner, healthier and better-connected cities.

DynamiCity brings together 27 full partners and 9 associated partners from 17 countries, including 12 European cities, nine of which are EU Mission Cities (https://netzerocities.eu/mission-cities/) and six Net Zero Cities (https://netzerocities.eu/). From the Netherlands, the University of Twente participates as a full partner alongside Gemeente Helmond, with additional Dutch associate partners including the Province of Overijssel, BYCS, and Mobycon.

The project adopts a paradigm shift in urban transport planning by positioning active mobility not only as a sustainable transport solution, but also as a strategic instrument for improving public health and wellbeing. Through human-centred interventions, urban design measures, digital tools, and policy guidelines, DynamiCity aims to increase walking and cycling levels by more than 30% in selected cities, while achieving greenhouse gas emission reductions exceeding 15%. Project impacts will be assessed through changes in travel behaviour, environmental exposure, and health outcomes related to cancer survivorship support and possible cancer prevention.

Within DynamiCity, the TS and BSS groups collaborate on research into active and micro-mobility usage patterns, their safety and health impacts, and the development of Smart Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and Cooperative ITS (C-ITS) solutions for pedestrians, cyclists, and micro-mobility users. Their work includes the design of smart infrastructure and digital technologies such as dynamic traffic signal systems, app-infrastructure communication, digital twins for mobility planning, and roadside sensing and warning systems. The teams also support pilot implementations in Helmond, focusing on increasing cycling and walking while addressing health and life expectancy inequalities between neighbourhoods. These efforts will lead to a reduction in cancer incidence and/or late effects after cancer and therefore and increase in the quality of life.

dr.ir. M.B. Ulak PhD (Baran) Assistant Professor

+31534894815

 m.b.ulak@utwente.nl

Building: Horst Complex

Building: Horst Complex Z214

Personal page

A. Witteveen PhD (Annemieke) Associate Professor Personalized eHealth Technology for Oncology

+31534894708

 a.witteveen@utwente.nl

Building: Horst - Zuidhorst

Building: Horst Complex ZH210

Personal page

prof.dr.ing. K.T. Geurs (Karst) Full Professor

+31534891056

 k.t.geurs@utwente.nl

Building: Horst Complex Z218

Personal page