Dresden Launches Public Consultation on Future Mobility with ‘mobiVOTE’
Dresden, Germany, is inviting residents and stakeholders to participate in shaping the city’s transportation future through ‘mobiVOTE,’ a digital public consultation platform. The initiative, launched on Friday, March 6, 2026, is the third and final phase of public engagement in the development of the Dresden Mobility Plan 2035+, a comprehensive strategy aimed at modernizing and improving mobility within the city. The consultation allows citizens to vote on 70 proposed measures designed to address the evolving transportation needs of the Landeshauptstadt Dresden. The results of mobiVOTE will directly influence the final mobility concept before it is presented to the city council for a decision.
The launch of mobiVOTE underscores Dresden’s commitment to inclusive urban planning, according to city officials. Baubürgermeister Stephan Kühn emphasized the importance of public input, stating that the results will form “a central basis for the subsequent proposal to the Dresden City Council.” The city is actively encouraging participation, recognizing that a transparent and future-oriented approach to mobility is crucial for Dresden’s continued development. The platform is accessible until April 7, 2026, providing ample time for citizens to review the proposals and cast their votes. Participation is estimated to take approximately 15 minutes.
What is mobiVOTE and the Dresden Mobility Plan 2035+?
The Dresden Mobility Plan 2035+ builds upon the previous Verkehrsentwicklungsplan 2025plus (Traffic Development Plan 2025+), which guided the city’s mobility strategies over the past decade. The new plan aims to address current and future challenges, including increasing urbanization, environmental concerns, and the require for sustainable transportation options. The 70 measures under consideration were developed in close collaboration with the Dresdner MOBIdialog 2035+, a broader initiative involving diverse stakeholders from across the city. These measures represent a compromise, reflecting the varied interests represented within the city’s society, rather than solely focusing on the maximum technically feasible options.
mobiVOTE, as the final stage of public participation, allows residents to directly influence the direction of the plan. The platform presents the 70 proposed measures, allowing citizens to evaluate and prioritize them based on their individual perspectives. A unique aspect of mobiVOTE is the inclusion of a question asking participants if they, as city council members, would approve the Mobility Plan 2035+ and its measures based on their personal assessment. This direct link to the decision-making process aims to ensure that the final plan reflects the collective will of the community.
Opportunities for In-Person Dialogue and Participation
Beyond the online platform, the team behind the Dresden Mobility Plan 2035+ is hosting a series of in-person dialogue sessions at the Stadtforum, located at Waisenhausstraße 14, Dresden. These sessions provide an opportunity for residents to engage directly with transportation planners and experts, ask questions, and receive assistance with navigating the mobiVOTE platform. The sessions are scheduled for the following dates and times:
- Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Tuesday, March 24, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
The Stadtforum, situated on the first floor above the Freitreppe (open staircase), will serve as a central hub for these discussions. The project team will be on hand to provide support and answer questions, ensuring that all residents have the opportunity to contribute to the planning process.
Engaging the Next Generation: Workshops for Students
Recognizing the importance of involving young people in shaping the future of mobility, the city is also organizing 85 mobiVOTE workshops for students in grades 7 and above. These workshops will be held in 20 different secondary schools – Gymnasien, Oberschulen, and Berufsschulen – across Dresden. This initiative aims to educate students about the Mobility Plan 2035+ and encourage them to participate in the mobiVOTE consultation, ensuring that the voices of future generations are heard.
The 80 Percent Compromise and the Path Forward
City planners acknowledge that achieving 100 percent consensus on all aspects of the Mobility Plan is unrealistic. The concept of the “80 percent compromise” reflects the understanding that a successful plan requires balancing diverse interests and priorities. The 70 measures presented in mobiVOTE represent this compromise, aiming to achieve broad support while addressing the most pressing transportation challenges facing Dresden. The ultimate goal is to create a mobility system that is sustainable, efficient, and equitable for all residents.
The mobiVOTE results will be carefully analyzed and incorporated into the final Mobility Plan concept. This concept will then be presented to the Dresden City Council for a final decision. The public consultation process, culminating in mobiVOTE, represents a crucial step in ensuring that the plan reflects the needs and aspirations of the Dresden community. The online participation platform can be found at www.dresden.de/mobiVOTE.
The next key date for the Dresden Mobility Plan 2035+ is April 7, 2026, the closing date for participation in mobiVOTE. Following this, the city council will review the results and begin the process of finalizing the plan. We encourage readers to participate in mobiVOTE and share their thoughts on the future of mobility in Dresden. What measures do you believe are most important for creating a sustainable and efficient transportation system? Share your opinions in the comments below.