Wheels of Change: GIS-Driven and Space Syntax Research for Gender and Youth-Inclusive Public Transport in Albanian and Montenegrin Municipalities
Donor: Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans
Implementation period: February 2026 – August 2026
Partner: Green Home, Montenegro
The project aims to support more inclusive, safe and citizen-oriented public transport and mobility planning in the cross-border area between Shkodra and Ulcinj. Both cities face mobility challenges that particularly affect women and young people, including unsafe pedestrian routes, fragmented bicycle infrastructure, limited public transport services, poor lighting and insufficient consideration of gender and youth needs in local transport planning.
Through this project, CoPlan and Green Home will combine technical research, civic participation and advocacy to identify mobility gaps and propose practical improvements. The project will use GIS-based mapping and Space Syntax analysis to study pedestrian and transport movement patterns, identify unsafe locations, poorly connected areas and underserved routes, and generate visual evidence for decision-making.
At the same time, the project will actively involve young volunteers, women, local residents and community groups through surveys, focus groups and walkability audits. These activities will document everyday mobility experiences, such as students’ routes to school, women’s evening commutes, access to bus stops, cycling safety and the quality of pedestrian infrastructure.
The cross-border dimension of the project allows Shkodra and Ulcinj to learn from each other’s experiences. Shkodra’s strong cycling culture and Ulcinj’s local knowledge on community-based mobility challenges will inform a shared approach to inclusive and sustainable transport. Exchange activities and joint forums will help build cooperation between civil society, municipalities and young mobility advocates across both countries.
The project will also include public outreach activities, including media communication, visual storymaps and a Bike & Walk for Inclusion event, aiming to raise public awareness on the right to safe, accessible and inclusive mobility.
Ultimately, Wheels of Change seeks to empower women and youth as active participants in local decision-making, support municipalities with evidence-based recommendations, and create a replicable model for citizen-centered transport planning in the Western Balkans.