Region Stockholm Day at ITRL
On April 24th, in collaboration with Research Support Office at KTH, ITRL welcomed Region Stockholm for a half-day seminar dedicated to fostering deeper collaboration between the region’s public planning authorities and the academic community. With approximately 50 participants in attendance, the event provided a focused setting to explore how research expertise at ITRL can meaningfully contribute to ongoing and future regional development efforts. The seminar served as a launchpad for the 2026 call for research proposals within the program Sustainable Transport and Regional Development Planning in Region Stockholm.
The call invites universities and research groups to co-develop projects that align with the region’s strategic objectives, bridging applied science and policy-making. Led by Mikael Ranhagen and Håkan Karlsson, representatives from Region Stockholm started by presented the foundations of the region’s upcoming development plan, to be formally adopted in 2026. Building on earlier strategies like RUFS 2050, the plan sets a vision for Stockholm as Europe’s most attractive and sustainable metropolitan region—a place where people can live, work, and thrive. It outlines both long-term and short-term goals, addressing major regional challenges including climate change, rapid population growth, social inequality, and global competitiveness. Central to the discussion was the region’s commitment to creating a more resilient and connected territory that spans urban, rural, and coastal environments.
The presentation also highlighted key research needs identified by Region Stockholm. These include innovations in traffic monitoring, travel demand modeling, low-emission mobility solutions, and strategies for improving services such as on-demand transport and night-time accessibility. Examples of previous research collaborations such as studies on air quality in tunnels, improved disruption handling in public transport, and safety in station environments, demonstrated how academic projects can directly support the region’s planning and operations. The event wrapped up with an open dialogue and Q&A, where participants explored future collaboration pathways and clarified expectations for the call in break out rooms with Region Stockholm’s representatives.
Want to join us for future events like this or even host one in collaboration with us? Become an ITRL partner and be part of our growing network of researchers and collaborators. Learn more about ITRL partnership opportunities here .