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Cities across the United States are facing a critical moment.

Congestion, climate risk, and rapid technological change are reshaping how people and goods move through urban environments. The challenge is clear: create systems that are resilient, equitable, and future-ready, while enhancing livability and economic vitality.

At the forefront of this transformation is Francesco Cerroni, Head of Mobility for º£½ÇÊÓƵ in the US. With a career spanning global infrastructure and urban design, Francesco is leading efforts to redefine mobility as a catalyst for livability and economic growth. From reclaiming streets in Lower Manhattan to shaping Detroit’s Ford Innovation District, his work demonstrates how integrated planning can unlock value for cities and clients alike.

In this conversation, Francesco shares insights on the vision behind these landmark projects, the challenges they address, and what they reveal about the future of mobility in America.

Can you share a bit about your background and what brought you to lead º£½ÇÊÓƵ’s mobility practice in the US?

Francesco Cerroni: My career has always been rooted in the intersection of urban design, transportation, and sustainability. Before joining º£½ÇÊÓƵ, I worked on large-scale infrastructure and mobility projects across Europe and North America, focusing on how cities can adapt to changing patterns of movement and climate resilience. At º£½ÇÊÓƵ, I saw an opportunity to shape a holistic approach to mobility – one that integrates engineering, policy, and community engagement to create cities that are not only efficient but equitable and livable.

What is your vision for mobility in the US, and how does º£½ÇÊÓƵ’s strategy reflect that?

Cerroni: Our strategy is centered on three pillars: equity, resilience, and innovation. Mobility is no longer just about moving people from point A to point B – it’s about creating systems that serve diverse communities, reduce carbon emissions, and adapt to new technologies.

We’re entering an incredibly exciting moment in the US: New York City is moving forward with congestion pricing, a landmark policy that has the potential to reduce traffic, improve air quality, and make streets more efficient for everyone. At the same time, we’re seeing rapid advances in autonomous vehicles, connected infrastructure, and digital tools that can dramatically improve safety for passengers, pedestrians, and all street users.

These innovations open up new possibilities – from real-time traffic management to sensor enabled intersections that prevent collisions before they happen. But they also bring new challenges, especially as cities prepare for a rapidly electrifying vehicle fleet. Issues like grid capacity, charging infrastructure, and equitable access to clean mobility require thoughtful, integrated planning.

At º£½ÇÊÓƵ we help cities and developers rethink streetscapes, prioritize active transportation, and integrate emerging modes like micromobility and autonomous vehicles. The goal is to design infrastructure that anticipates future needs while solving today’s challenges.

Can you highlight some of the key projects that exemplify this approach?

Cerroni: Two projects stand out:

• Make Way for Lower Manhattan: This initiative reimagines one of the most congested and historically significant areas of New York City. We worked with stakeholders to develop strategies that reclaim streets for pedestrians and cyclists, improve climate resilience, and enhance public space. It’s a blueprint for how dense urban cores can balance mobility and livability.
• Ford Innovation District in Detroit: At Michigan Central Station, we’re helping transform an iconic landmark into a hub for future mobility – looking at EV charging infrastructure, AV shuttles freight and last mile logistics. This project integrates adaptive reuse with cutting-edge transportation planning, creating a district that supports innovation while connecting communities. It’s about leveraging history to build the future.

Why are projects like Make Way for Lower Manhattan and the Ford Innovation District so pivotal for the future of urban mobility?

Cerroni: Both projects signal a fundamental shift in how we understand cities – not simply as corridors for movement, but as complex ecosystems where mobility, resilience, and livability must be planned together. Lower Manhattan, one of the densest and most transit rich districts in the United States, faces acute challenges from congestion and climate risk. Detroit’s Michigan Central Station, a landmark of industrial heritage, is being transformed into a hub for next generation mobility in a city long recognized as the heart of the American automotive industry. Together, these initiatives demonstrate that mobility planning extends far beyond transportation infrastructure. It is about shaping sustainable environments, enhancing quality of life, and enabling communities to thrive in the face of rapid technological and environmental change.

What was the vision behind Make Way for Lower Manhattan?

Cerroni: The vision was to reclaim streets for people. Lower Manhattan has some of the most congested streets in the country, and with climate change, it’s also highly vulnerable to flooding. Following an analysis that uncovered unprecedented changes in demographics (resident population has doubled in the past two decades) and traffic (while vehicular traffic has dropped about 30%, bike traffic has increased more than 50% – values that are expected to increase even more following the adoption of the congestion pricing).

Our work is focused on creating strategies that prioritize pedestrians and cyclists, integrate green infrastructure, and enhance public space. It’s about making one of the world’s busiest urban cores more resilient and more human-centered. Our strategies include:

• Converting up to 30% of roadway space to pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
• Introducing green infrastructure capable of managing millions of gallons of stormwater annually
• Redesigning intersections for safety and throughput
• Developing curbside typologies for loading, micro-distribution, and mobility hubs

What impact will this project have on the city and its stakeholders?

Cerroni: It sets a precedent for how dense cities can adapt to climate risk while improving quality of life. By reducing car dependency and expanding public space, we’re creating a safer, more accessible environment. Early results from New York’s Congestion Pricing analysis consistently show that reducing vehicular volumes benefits all users. When traffic demand drops, delays decrease, average speeds increase, and even motorists experience more reliable travel times. In other words, policies that manage traffic aren’t anti-car; they are pro-efficiency and pro-city. It also supports economic vitality – better streets mean better business. And importantly, it provides a roadmap for other cities facing similar challenges.

Turning to Detroit, Michigan Central Station is iconic. How does mobility fit into its transformation?

Cerroni: Ford’s vision for the Innovation District is to create a hub for future mobility technologies – induction charging roads, micromobility hubs, autonomous systems, and beyond. Our role was to develop a mobility framework that connects the station to the city and supports these emerging modes. We’re not just designing for today; we’re anticipating how people and goods will move in the next decade.

What does this mean for Detroit and for clients looking at similar adaptive reuse projects?

Cerroni: It shows that historic assets can anchor forward-looking development. By integrating mobility planning with adaptive reuse, we’re creating a district that’s both connected and innovative. Our integrated services included:

• Multimodal level-of-service (MMLOS) analysis
• Network simulation tools (e.g., VISSIM, Viswalk, Synchro)
• Climate resilience modeling (storm surge, heat island, drainage capacity)
• Curbside demand modeling
• Scenario planning for AV/EV adoption

For clients, the takeaway is that mobility isn’t an afterthought – it’s a driver of value and community impact.

What lessons do these projects offer for cities and developers nationwide?

Cerroni: The biggest lesson is that mobility is a catalyst for transformation. Whether it’s reclaiming streets in Manhattan or building an innovation hub in Detroit, the approach must be holistic – combining engineering, policy, and design. At º£½ÇÊÓƵ, we help clients navigate complexity and deliver solutions that make cities more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready.

Three key lessons:

1. Mobility is a systems problem – engineering, policy, and design must be integrated.
2. Climate resilience must be embedded, not appended.
3. Data and scenario planning are essential for future-proofing investments.

Looking ahead, what trends will shape urban mobility in the next decade?

Cerroni: We’ll see a continued shift toward shared and electric mobility, greater emphasis on public space as infrastructure, and the rise of data-driven planning. Specifically, we expect:

• Widespread adoption of AV (Waymo and similar services)
• Innovation in robot and drones’ delivery technologies integrated with micromobility networks
• Rapid growth in shared and electric mobility
• District-scale charging and energy management
• Increased use of multimodal modeling and digital twins for planning
• Expansion of pedestrian- and cycling-first street networks also in suburban contexts
• Greater emphasis on curbside optimization
• Public–private partnerships to accelerate innovation
• Improvement in transit integration among agencies
• Adoption of digital technologies to enhance safety and improve the overall transit rider experience

Cities will need to be agile, and partnerships between public and private sectors will be critical. At º£½ÇÊÓƵ, we’re excited to lead in this space – helping clients navigate uncertainty and deliver projects that make cities healthier, more inclusive, and more sustainable.

Why this matters

Urban mobility is evolving rapidly. These projects demonstrate how strategic planning can unlock economic, social, and environmental benefits. For clients, partnering with experts who understand this intersection is key to staying ahead. Reach out to Francesco if you have a project that could use mobility expertise.