MAIA-UAM: Prepared cities for urban air mobility

The MAIA project has produced MAIA-UAM, a framework that supports the integration of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) into European cities. With drones and air taxis expected to play an increasing role in logistics, emergency response, and passenger transport, this outcome provides tools to assess their impact on urban environments.

Built on the MAIA-Engine, MAIA-UAM models the environmental, social, and operational dimensions of UAM. It allows users to simulate scenarios such as parcel deliveries, emergency services, or passenger transport, and to analyse their consequences for citizens and infrastructure.

The framework addresses key challenges, including:

• Noise and visual pollution: evaluating how UAM services affect urban quality of life,
• Safety and resilience: assessing risks linked to operations in densely populated areas,
• Integration with ground transport: ensuring complementarity between air and land mobility,
• Public acceptance: supporting evidence-based approaches to UAM integration.

The exploratory studies described in Deliverable 3.2 (D3.2) Exploratory Research Report show how MAIA-UAM can provide actionable evidence for urban planners, regulators, and service providers. It ensures that the rollout of UAM services is aligned with sustainability goals and social expectations.

By providing a robust knowledge base, MAIA-UAM helps cities and policymakers prepare for the challenges and opportunities that UAM will bring in the coming years.

Discover more about the MAIA-UAM during the MAIA & MUSE joint final event in Barcelona.