Prof. George Teodorescu is the Coordinator of the Danubius Innovation Alliance and founder of the Institute for Integral Innovation. He will be the General Chair at MOBIDanube 2015, the International Conference on Mobility Opportunities in Danube Region that will take place in Bratislava, Slovakia on October 13, 2015 and will be co-located with the SmartCity 360 Summit. We talked with him about the upcoming conference and how it can contribute towards future developments within the field.
What can we look forward to at the first edition of the International Conference on Mobility Opportunities in Danube Region? What will the main focus of the conference be?
A conference is a convergence of opinions, visions and sometimes of original approaches about the addressed topic. As such we can expect the outline of an integrated mobility concept, overcoming the actual local and national strategies. Mobility is a dynamic feature of a geographic space, connecting and overcoming distances, as such it is the dedicated tool for an Euro-regional integrative concept. Beyond standards and solutions, there is a serious potential for developing together a common spirit and a way of thinking in planning and operating the mobility in the Danube region. The Euro-region Danube is developing rapidly an own identity. The mobility in the region might be a pioneer in this respect.
What is the status quo regarding mobility opportunities in the Danube region?
The intra-regional mobility is increasing, due to the growing interest in the job and shopping opportunities as a result of the regional economic development. The transit along the Danube axis is one of the most vivid examples of the European east-west exchange. Nevertheless there is much more to do. There is a necessity of a comprehensive vision, including local and regional initiatives. First of all there is a need for appealing projects, absorbing the dedicated European structural funding.
How will DanubeRegionMobility Conference contribute towards future developments within the area and what are the main challenges for researchers in the area?
Our Conference is focusing to extend a platform for visionary projects and opinions about the mobility in general and in the region in special. We want to ignite a larger and intensive discourse, beyond the incremental improvements and local solutions. Here is the challenge and the opportunity of this conference.
