Helge Hillnhütter
About
My career encompasses both professional practice and academia, with substantial
international experience in Germany, Italy, Tanzania, China, Bahrain, the UK, Denmark, and
Switzerland. My interdisciplinary expertise spans urban design, planning, architecture, and
landscape design. Since completing my studies, I have maintained close ties to university
teaching through guest lectures, which facilitated my transition to academia. In 2018, I joined
the Institute for Architecture and Planning at NTNU as an Associate Professor.
As a specialist in urban planning that promotes walking as a mode of transport, particularly in
enhancing access to public transport, I have established an international reputation. Since
2017, I have delivered approximately 180 invited presentations across 12 countries and
contributed to policy development in collaboration with international organisations such as the
World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for Public Transport (UITP). In
2022, I became a founding member of the Board of Directors for Walk21 Europe, an NGO
registered in the Netherlands.
Through these activities, I have contributed to the development of national strategies, planning
guidelines, and research programmes in countries including Norway, Germany, the
Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, and France. I have also helped shape international discourse on
walking and public transport integration, including recent initiatives at the EU level. Today, my
work is supported by a growing network of professionals across Europe who promote integrated
perspectives on sustainable mobility.
Research
Funded Research and Projects
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2024–2027 – German Environmental Agency / Umweltbundesamt, Germany – Expert Advisor
German title: „Schnittstellen zwischen ÖPNV und Fußverkehr verbessern: Bedeutung und Potenziale des Fußverkehrs für die Nutzung des ÖPNV verstehen, untersuchen, kommunizieren und nutzen”. Research builds on my work on walking to access public transport. Cooperation with Planersocietät, Michael Frehn, and Deutsches Institut für Urbanistik. Funds: 220,000 EUR.
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2022– – THE PEP - Transport, Health and Environment, Pan-European Programme, Partnership on Active Mobility, WHO – Delegate for Norway
Appointed by Ministry of Health and Norwegian Public Roads Administration. Initiative includes 56 countries to support active mobility through national policy development.
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2022– – AVIT call NTNU, Mobile Sensory Lab – Cooperative Partner
Cooperation with PhD candidate and seven NTNU departments. Secured 2 million NOK to purchase technology for investigating human body and brain responses to physical and social environments.
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2022– – Mobilitet Stor Trondheim (MoST) – Work Package Leader
Responsible for one of three work packages including three PhD projects across NTNU faculties (11 million NOK for my WP). Cooperation with NPRA, Trøndelag County, Trondheim Municipality, and NTNU. Interdisciplinary project with 14 PhDs at 5 faculties.
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2021–2024 – JPI Urban Europe, EASIER – Seamless sustainable everyday urban mobility – Co-Initiator and Work Package Leader (Norway)
Focus: “Walking environments to support access to public transport” (2.5 million NOK). Collaboration with Otto Anker (DTU Denmark) and six research institutions from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, plus 27 organizations in urban and transport planning.
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2019– – Health Fund, NTNU: Urban Environments to Increase Health and Well-being – Project Coordinator & PhD Supervisor
Cooperation with Prof. Axel Tjora (Sociology) and Prof. Christian Klöckner (Psychology). Internal NTNU health fund call, 36 participants, one funded project (7 million NOK).
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2013 – Norwegian Research Council: Grant for Overseas Studies – PhD Candidate
Funds for overseas studies in Copenhagen (Denmark), Zürich (Switzerland), and Reading/Brighton (UK).
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2010–2016 – Norwegian Research Council / Asplan Viak: Funding for PhD Research – PhD Candidate
Supported through the “Nærings PhD” program, cooperation between Norwegian Research Council and Asplan Viak.
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2003 – European Social Fund: Funding for Master Studies – Master Student
One-year Master course at University of Milan, Italy, funded by European Commission.
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2003 – Foreign Exchange Programme, University of Bochum – Funding for Overseas Studies
Study at University of Portsmouth, UK.
Publications
2025
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Brunner, Lisa Marie;
Başaran, Gülin Göksu;
Haustein, Sonja;
Klöckner, Christian A.;
Ingvardson, Jesper Bláfoss;
Nielsen, Otto Anker.
(2025)
Emotional experiences of urban walking environments: an application of the circumplex model of affect.
Journal of Transport and Health
Academic article
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Suslowicz, Jarvis Foster;
Hillnhütter, Helge.
(2025)
From temporariness to mobility futures: A review of progress in tactical urbanism as an active travel planning tool.
Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives (TRIP)
Academic article
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Suslowicz, Jarvis Foster;
Hillnhütter, Helge.
(2025)
Tactical Urbanism: A Means of Enacting Mobility Transition? A Literature Review of International Practice.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
2023
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Brunner, Lisa Marie;
Hillnhütter, Helge;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Steinert, Martin;
Dybvik, Henrikke.
(2023)
Measuring the Impact of Walking Environments on Brain Activation: Results from an fNIRS Pilot Study.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
2022
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Gansmo, Helen Jøsok;
Bohne, Rolf André;
Støa, Eli;
Wyckmans, Annemie;
Brattebø, Helge;
Larssæther, Stig.
(2022)
Brøset – en bærekraftig bunker?.
Feature article
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Fossum, Magne;
Hillnhütter, Helge;
Ryeng, Eirin Olaussen.
(2022)
Winter walking–the effect of winter conditions on pedestrians’ step length and step frequency.
Transportmetrica A: Transport Science
Academic article
2021
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Hillnhütter, Helge.
(2021)
Stimulating Urban Walking Environments – Can we Measure the Effect?.
Environment and planning. B: Urban analytics and city science
Academic article
2020
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Wellinger, Steffen;
Hillnhütter, Helge.
(2020)
Debattinnlegg: (Tanke)eksperiment for el-sparkesykler.
Feature article
2018
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Hillnhütter, Helge.
(2018)
Gåing til/fra holdesplasser.
Tiltakskatalogen for transport og mijø
Popular scientific article
2017
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Hillnhütter, Helge.
(2017)
Gåing - undervurdert mobilitet.
Plan
Popular scientific article
2016
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Hillnhütter, Helge;
Hass-Klau, Carmen.
(2016)
Pedestrian Access to Public Transport.
Universitetet i Stavanger
Universitetet i Stavanger
Doctoral dissertation
Journal publications
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Brunner, Lisa Marie;
Başaran, Gülin Göksu;
Haustein, Sonja;
Klöckner, Christian A.;
Ingvardson, Jesper Bláfoss;
Nielsen, Otto Anker.
(2025)
Emotional experiences of urban walking environments: an application of the circumplex model of affect.
Journal of Transport and Health
Academic article
-
Suslowicz, Jarvis Foster;
Hillnhütter, Helge.
(2025)
From temporariness to mobility futures: A review of progress in tactical urbanism as an active travel planning tool.
Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives (TRIP)
Academic article
-
Gansmo, Helen Jøsok;
Bohne, Rolf André;
Støa, Eli;
Wyckmans, Annemie;
Brattebø, Helge;
Larssæther, Stig.
(2022)
Brøset – en bærekraftig bunker?.
Feature article
-
Fossum, Magne;
Hillnhütter, Helge;
Ryeng, Eirin Olaussen.
(2022)
Winter walking–the effect of winter conditions on pedestrians’ step length and step frequency.
Transportmetrica A: Transport Science
Academic article
-
Hillnhütter, Helge.
(2021)
Stimulating Urban Walking Environments – Can we Measure the Effect?.
Environment and planning. B: Urban analytics and city science
Academic article
-
Wellinger, Steffen;
Hillnhütter, Helge.
(2020)
Debattinnlegg: (Tanke)eksperiment for el-sparkesykler.
Feature article
-
Hillnhütter, Helge.
(2018)
Gåing til/fra holdesplasser.
Tiltakskatalogen for transport og mijø
Popular scientific article
-
Hillnhütter, Helge.
(2017)
Gåing - undervurdert mobilitet.
Plan
Popular scientific article
Part of book/report
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Suslowicz, Jarvis Foster;
Hillnhütter, Helge.
(2025)
Tactical Urbanism: A Means of Enacting Mobility Transition? A Literature Review of International Practice.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Brunner, Lisa Marie;
Hillnhütter, Helge;
Aalto, Pasi Olav;
Steinert, Martin;
Dybvik, Henrikke.
(2023)
Measuring the Impact of Walking Environments on Brain Activation: Results from an fNIRS Pilot Study.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Report
-
Hillnhütter, Helge;
Hass-Klau, Carmen.
(2016)
Pedestrian Access to Public Transport.
Universitetet i Stavanger
Universitetet i Stavanger
Doctoral dissertation
Teaching
Courses
- AAR4220 - Regional and Municipal Planning
- AAR4225 - Integrated Land Use and Transportation Planning
- FP4400 - Master Thesis in Physical Planning
- AAR4215 - Site Planning
- AAR4874 - Theories and Methods for Master Thesis
University Teaching
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2002 – Interior Design – University Bochum (DE) – Tutor – 50 students
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2010 – Områdeplanlegging – UIS, BIB5501 – Supervisor/Lecturer – 30 students – 10 ECTS
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2011 – Områdeplanlegging – UIS, BIB5501 – Course Leader – 30 students – 10 ECTS
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2018–2023 – Arkitektur og Stedsforming – NTNU, FP4100 – Course Leader – 60 students – 5×7,5 ECTS
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2019– – Site Planning – NTNU, AAR4215 – Course Leader – 70–100 students – 6×7,5 ECTS
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2022– – Master Thesis – NTNU, FP4400 – Course Leader – 30–40 students – 3×30 ECTS
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2024– – Region og Kommuneplanlegging – NTNU, AAR4220 – Course Leader – 35 students – 1×7,5 ECTS
Supervision
Master’s Thesis Supervision
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2018 – Centre development of Steinkjer – Hilde Greve
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2018 – Urban development around Public Transport Hubs in Oslo – Mathias Wigum
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2018 – Investigation of Cycling Tunnels in the Context of a planned Cycle Tunnel in Bergen – Marte Fauskanger Larsen
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2019 – Urban Public Transport with Urban Ferries in Ålesund – Aksel Helmersen
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2019 – Planning, Design and Use of Urban Parks – Cathrine Fossdal
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2019 – Walkability and Pedestrian Behavior – Linnea Stickler
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2019 – Experienced Safety for Female Pedestrians – Lina Naoroz Bråten
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2019 – Effective, Attractive and Safe Access for Pedestrians in Traffic Exposed Urban Environments – Tore Vestre
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2020 – Winter Use of Urban Parks – Ida Ovidth
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2020 – Attractive Public Spaces for Stationary Activities in Trondheim – Jørgen Iversen
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2020 – E-Scooters – Conflicts in Public Spaces – Kristina Jahre Simonsen
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2020 – Local Residents Experience of Semi-public Spaces – Mari Coward
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2020 – Planning for Circular Urban Development – Hanna Bang Hilmo
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2020 – Safety Perceptions for Public Transport Access Among Female Travelers in Berlin – Michaela Schmidt
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2020 – Development of Østmarka Area in Trondheim to Address the Needs of a Heterogeneous Local Community – Mikkel Evald H. Frengstad
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2020 – Designs for High Standard Cycling Paths – Nina Meti
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2020 – Good Access to Public Transport in Drammen – Vilde Andrea Lund
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2021 – Social Interactions in Local Urban Centers in Trondheim – Heidi H. Sagen
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2021 – Impacts of Local Climate on Walking Mobility – Malin Pedersen Gladhaug
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2021 – Social Interactions in Public Space – Kristina Risholt Ramberg
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2022 – Measuring Stress Levels in Different Urban Environments Using Sensors – Jørgen Valheim Lem
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2023 – Tactical Interventions to Support Walking on University Campuses – Lene Grimholt
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2023 – Tactical Interventions to Raise Awareness on Mobility Behavior – Sandra Skiaker
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2023 – Transformation of Small Public Urban Spaces Through Participation of Local Residents – Ingvild Olsen
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2023 – Tactical Transformation of Parking Spaces to Support Walking – Trine-Lise Østbye
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2023 – Walking Patterns in an Urban Transformation Area – Eivind Halle
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2024 – How European Cities Support Walking – an Analysis – Daniel Bratvold
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2024 – Walkability – Comparing European and Norwegian Perspectives – Eivind Røkenes
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2024 – An Analysis of Walking Environments for Train Station Access in 16 European Cities – Ina Fossum Asbømlo
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2024 – Strategies for Sustainable Urban Mobility in European Cities – Kine Vibeke Nordgård
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2024 – How Norwegian Cities Support Walking in Their Planning Practice – Vegard Strand
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2025 – Walking and Social Interactions in Urban Centres of Minor Cities – Case Kristiansund – Sunniva Gry-Lenedatter Solskjær
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2025 – Understanding Walking Patterns in the Car-based Centre of Stjørdal – Marius Bones
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2025 – Goals for the Development of Public Spaces for Brattøya in Trondheim – and the Reality Today – Johannes Lien Eggereide
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2025 – Social Activity in Semi-public Spaces of Newly Developed Residential Areas – Ingrid Michaelsen Larsson
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2025 – From Car Space to Urban Space – Inhabitants’ Perspectives on Centre Transformations in a Norwegian Municipality – Helene Palucha Oppegård
PhD Supervision (Main Supervisor)
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2014–2022 – Accessibility in Norwegian Urban Planning – Dutch ABC location policy in Norwegian integrated land-use and transport planning – Marianne Kanpskog
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2021–2025 – Nudging Walking Through Urban Planning and Design – Understanding the Influence of Urban Environments on the Subjective Experience of Walking – Lisa Marie Brunner
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2021– – Increasing Social Interaction in Public Urban Spaces – Lina Naoroz Bråten
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2023– – Ad-hoc and Low-cost Changes of Streets as Transformatory Measures to Support Walking and Cycling – Jarvis Suslowicz
PhD Supervision (Secondary Supervisor)
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2019–2022 – Walking and Cycling in Winter Conditions – Magne Fossum
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2019– – Towards an Integrated Approach to Wayfinding Design in Theory, Practice and Education – Ole E. Watne
Outreach
2024
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2024) Stadtraum, Fußgänger und öffentlicher Verkehr. Aktive Mobilität als Zubringer zum ÖV , Vienna 2024-05-06 - 2024-05-06
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2024) Stadtraum, Fußgänger und öffentlichen Verkehr zusammendenken. Fussverkehrskongress Österreich , Vienna 2024-06-05 - 2024-06-05
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2024) Gåby, bybane, byliv – og hvordan alt henger sammen. Bykonferanse Bergen , Bergen 2024-11-23 - 2024-11-23
2023
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PosterBrunner, Lisa Marie; Hillnhütter, Helge; Dybvik, Henrikke; Aalto, Pasi Olav; Steinert, Martin; Klöckner, Christian Andreas Nikolaus. (2023) Walking in the city - a healthy future?. NTNU Health Conference , Trondheim 2023-10-05 -
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2023) Walking & Public Transport. THE PEP, Transpor, Health and Environment Pan-European Programme , Madrid 2023-10-26 - 2023-10-26
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2023) Mobilitet til fots, byrom – kollektivtransport?. Stavanger Grønn By - Mobilitetskonferansen 2023 , Stavanger 2023-04-21 - 2023-04-21
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2023) Stadtraum, Fußgänger und öffentlichen Verkehr zusammendenken - Möglichkeiten und Potenziale. FUKO, Fußverkehrskongress 2023 Bremen , Bremen 2023-04-27 - 2023-04-27
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2023) Walking & Public Transport - Potentials and Possibilities. Transport planning for the future , Geneva 2023-10-23 - 2023-10-23
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2023) Fußgänger und öffentlichen Verkehr zusammendenken. Difu-Seminar: Der Weg zur Haltestelle - ein unterschätztes Potenzial für den ÖPNV , Berlin 2023-10-12 - 2023-10-12
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge; Bråten, Lina Naoroz. (2023) Hva betyr omgivelsene for oss mennesker og hvor viktig er det for oss "å ha noe å se på"?. Regional samling - KS Nettverk for universell utforming , Oslo 2023-04-26 - 2023-04-26
2019
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Academic lectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2019) Walking to Access Public Transport. DTU Transport Summit 2019 , Copenhagen 2019-06-04 - 2019-06-04
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2019) Walking! Walking environment! Public transport …?. Walk 21 Coference Rotterdam , Rotterdam 2019-10-07 - 2019-10-10
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Academic lectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2019) Investigating the Extent of Walking Involved in Public Transport. Urban research addressing the mobility transition , München 2019-12-11 - 2019-12-11
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Academic lectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2019) Travelling by Public Transport in Cities – How Much Walking is Involved?. RESEARCH SEMINAR ON INTEGRATED PUBLIC TRANSPORT PLANNING AND OPTIMISATION , Copenhagen 2019-06-03 - 2019-06-03
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Academic lectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2019) The influence of Urban Environments on Access to Public Transport by Walking. NECTAR Cluster 6 Accessibility , Munich 2019-12-12 - 2019-12-13
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Academic lectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2019) How Urban Environments Influence Pedestrians Emotions. The Humanification of the City , Aalborg 2019-03-28 - 2019-03-29
2018
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Mobilitet til fots og med kollektivtransport. Inspirasjonsmøde Mobilitet til fots , København 2018-12-18 - 2018-12-18
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Walking in Towns. Attractive Nordic Towns Conference , Ystad 2018-11-28 - 2018-11-29
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Hvordan planlegge byer som er mer attraktive for fotgjengere og kollektivtransport?. Bedre byluft-forum 2017 , Oslo 2018-11-14 - 2018-11-15
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Public Transport and Walking. BEST annual seminar , Copenhagen 2018-03-08 - 2018-03-09
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Hvordan tilpasse byområder til klimaendringene gjennom fysisk planlegging?. Lecture , Stavanger 2018-01-19 - 2019-01-19
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Mobilitet til fots - mobilitet i by. Lunsj foredragsserie Statens Vegvesen Oslo , Oslo 2018-03-22 -
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Tilrettelegging for fotgjengere - tilrettelegging for kollektivtransport. Seminar Kollektivknutepunkt , Bergen 2018-05-09 - 2018-05-09
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Mobility, walking - and cities. Symposium for the EU Project CREATE , Copenhagen 2018-03-08 -
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Til fots i bypakker... i fem skritt. Bypakke konferanse Tønnsberg 2018 , Tønnsberg 2018-09-04 - 2018-09-05
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Kollektivtransport & mobilitet til fots. Trafikbestillerkonference 2018 , København 2018-06-21 - 2018-06-21
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2018) Kollektivtransport, fotgjengere, byrom …. Nettverkssammling Statens Vegvesenet , Kristiansand 2018-05-23 - 2018-05-23
2017
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Walking - safe and attractive?. Traffic Safety Conference 2017 , København 2017-09-27 - 2017-09-28
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Byutforming på gåendes premisser – en viktig strategi for kollektivtransport . Bytransport og byutvikling i endring , Bergen 2017-11-01 - 2017-11-02
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Byer for fotgjengere og kollektivtransport. Guest lecture , København 2017-09-26 -
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Fornøyde fotgjengere gir mere kollektivtransport. Gåseminar , Oslo 2017-09-22 -
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Lecture
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Lecture
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Public Transport Users are Pedestrians. Kollektiv forum årskonferanse , Oslo 2017-02-06 - 2017-02-07
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Lecture
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LectureHillnhütter, Helge. (2017) Vermessen - Was die Stadtumgebung mit den Fussgängern macht. Bundesweiter Umwelt- und Verkehrskongress 2017 , Wuppertal 2017-03-10 - 2017-03-12
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Lecture