The Lincoln neighbourhood in Darmstadt as a role model for future urban residential developments with an integrated mobility concept. Synthesis and learnings from the quantitative evaluation of an urban living lab

What impact can an integrated mobility concept have for a socio-ecological mobility transformation? This article provides answers based on four waves of a household survey, underpinned by insights from a real-world laboratory with Darmstadt's administration, planners, and the neighbourhood's residents.Academics and practitioners agree that mobility transformation requires a shift away from car dependence. However, the lasting impact of car-reducing measures on residents' mobility and liveability can only be observed in long-term studies, which are rare. With the Lincoln neighbourhood in Darmstadt, Germany, we analysed four waves of a quantitative household survey from 2020 to 2025 to examine the long-term effects of Lincoln's integrated mobility concept on residents' mobility, parking practices, and liveability. Additionally, we considered qualitative results, as well as reflections within the transdisciplinary project team and with Lincoln's residents. We found the following to be important for success: 1. both, car-restrictive and incentive-based measures to reduce car use and ownership, to promote car-independent mobility, and to increase liveability, 2. the participation of residents in the planning process, and 3. the monitoring and adjustment of the implementation by the municipal administration. However, even within the same city, challenges arise when attempting to transfer Lincoln's award-winning concept under changing political, social, and financial circumstances.