Mobility Camp (previously Transport Planning Camp) is an annual volunteer run ‘unconference’ bringing together transport planners, modellers, engineers, technologists, social activists, academics and others interested in discussing and coming up with solutions to ongoing challenges in the transport sector. The event, now in it’s sixth year is being held in Birmingham in 2023.

We asked PJA’s Associate Director, Catriona Swanson, who has helped organise the event to talk us through the day:

What does Mobility Camp mean to you and what are you looking forward to most about the day?

I really love Mobility Camp because it’s so different from all the other transport conferences including being much more affordable meaning it attracts a much better mix of attendees including students, recent graduates and even activists and campaigners (it’s only £30 for private sector tickets and £5 for students, public sector etc). This, along with the format of Mobility Camp, means there’s a greater diversity of voices and opinions and it’s especially good for me to hear what people just starting out in their careers in transport think.

And it’s the format where Mobility Camp really differentiates itself from other conferences… because it’s actually an “unconference”. This means that although the overall theme and structure of the day is decided in advance, the attendees come up with the topics to focus on throughout the day and vote on them. Whichever topics get the most votes, goes on the agenda. The day is then facilitated by a team of volunteers.

The thing I’m most looking forward to about the day – apart from the chance to catch up with lots of friends – is the amazing panel we have planned in the morning to get everyone inspired and excited about the day. Our panellists this year include Sonya Byers, CEO at Women in Transport and Isabelle Clement, Director of Wheels for Wellbeing so you just know it’s going to me amazing!

I’m also really pleased that PJA are supporting Mobility Camp this year in a number of ways. Firstly, for the second year, I’m part of the organising team, secondly my wonderful colleagues Lianne Baker-Brook and Shannon Connolly will be volunteering on the day, and thirdly PJA are sponsoring the conference.

Why an ‘unconference’

I’m sure James Gleave who leads the organisation team and set up Mobility Camp 6 years ago has a great answer to why he chose an “unconference” format. However, the reason I love the format is that it’s so democratic – anyone can come and a graduate or campaigner will have as much input and say as some boring old Associate Director like me! And the whole day is facilitated by an excellent team who ensure it stays a safe and welcoming environment even when we’re debating controversial topics or participants have differences of opinion. I’d really encourage anyone who hasn’t experienced an unconference to get a ticket and get stuck in.

This year’s theme is ‘change the narrative’, where in your work have you experienced challenges in introducing a new narrative and what did you do to overcome them?

I specialise in active travel where a lot of the time schemes require reallocation of road space or car restraint in order to improve conditions for walking and cycling. In other words, my whole job is about changing the narrative and trying to unpick 60+ years of car-centric planning and it would be easier to identify the occasional moments when I’m not facing huge challenges! The way I try to go about changing the narrative is the same as most, I think: ensuring we develop really strong evidence bases for proposals, engaging genuinely and early to build trust, and developing really high quality proposals that reflect the evidence and community and stakeholder feedback.

Among transport professionals, there is a consensus that we need take bold decisions to tackle the climate emergency, air quality crises, obesity and many other issues. At Mobility Camp 2023, we will explore ideas and actions to do this more successfully.

What do you think is the key challenge the industry will face over the next five years? How are you/your team/PJA able to address/assist with this key challenge?

Worsening climate change and air quality are fundamental challenges we will face in the property industry in the next five years. At PJA we will continue to do what we do well, acting as thought leaders and developing robust evidence to assist our clients and support their projects.

If you could give a candidate one key takeaway from the day, what would that be?

That they will get out of it what they put in! It really is very different to a usual conference where you can play a very passive role if that’s what you want. At an unconference you really are expected to put a shift in, from coming up with ideas for topics at the start of the day to participating in discussions ad sessions throughout the day and feedback at the end. It will very likely put some people well outside of their comfort zones but it is also a great opportunity to challenge yourself, think differently and meet new people.

How does your expertise and experience of working with PJA assist in your ability to help support an event like Mobility Camp’?

The great thing about Mobility Camp is that the organising team come from lots of different companies and organisations across the industry and we all bring different ideas and perspectives. In terms of supporting Mobility Camp on the day, I find that my years of experience running stakeholder workshops and consultant events helps when I’m facilitating sessions but, honestly, I’m there to learn and improve my skills just like everyone else!

Mobility Camp takes place in Birmingham on Tuesday 26th September. Find further information and tickets here.

Catriona Swanson, Associate Director

Catriona is an Associate Director in our Manchester office. She has over 14 years’ experience of delivering active travel, sustainable transport, regeneration and placemaking schemes in both the public and private sectors. Catriona’s experience includes network planning and concept design as well as overseeing the detailed design and delivery of schemes. She is particularly passionate about inclusive design and creating Healthy Streets.

Contact Catriona: [email protected]

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