As of 2023, cities worldwide are grappling with severe traffic congestion, with road crashes claiming 3,260 lives daily and transport-related emissions accounting for nearly a quarter of all energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. To address these challenges, there is an urgent need for safer, more affordable, accessible, integrated, and sustainable transport systems that leverage emerging technologies to reduce congestion, preventable crashes, and air pollution.

However, the traditional response —expanding car-centric infrastructure to accommodate the ever-growing car demand— has only perpetuated the problem. This approach fuels urban sprawl, increases car dependency, and triggers a cycle of ever-growing demand for infrastructure, further exacerbating congestion and environmental degradation. Breaking this cycle requires a transformative shift towards people-centred urban mobility solutions that prioritise active transport, public transit, and climate resilience for more liveable, sustainable cities.

To address the urban mobility challenge, a paradigm shift in urban planning is essential. The focus should be on creating compact cities with mixed land use to enhance accessibility and reduce the need for travel. Urban planning must be people-centred, aiming to minimise travel distances, increase the modal share of sustainable modes, and optimise emissions, following the ASI (Avoid-Shift-Improve) framework.

A critical element of this shift is Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), which clusters development around public transport hubs. TOD promotes car-free living by making high-quality, accessible, and sustainable public transport the backbone of urban mobility. Public transport systems should offer high capacity, broad coverage, and low emissions, reducing reliance on private vehicles. In this context, cities must develop public transport that is accessible, affordable, and efficient for all residents, especially low-income communities.

Given that most trips involve multiple transport modes, cities must invest in multi-modal systems and ensure seamless integration. High-capacity transport modes, such as metro or BRT, should be linked with feeder services and well integrated with active mobility modes to maximise efficiency. Improving “last-mile access” is key to ensuring that residents can easily connect to public transport. Furthermore, urban spaces need to be redesigned to prioritize safety, especially for the vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists. Streets should be designed with dedicated walkways, safe crossings, and cycling lanes.

In sum, to transform urban mobility, cities must adopt a holistic, sustainable approach that integrates land use, active mobility, public transport, and safety measures. This approach will create more resilient, accessible, and liveable urban environments.