Modern Mobility

obility sits at the heart of city development, linking people and places amid rapid urbanisation.1 It is synonymous with liveability, as anyone who has endured hours-long traffic jams or creaking subways can understand. Safe, reliable, environmentally-friendly and well-functioning mobility networks are key to keeping the lifeblood of cities flowing, from central business districts to outlying suburbs.

Yet urban mobility is a constant work in progress, a continual balancing act between time, cost, safety and sustainability. Concern is growing about its sustainability due to its heavy toll on the environment, especially in the age of climate change. The transport sector accounts for around one-fifth of global carbon dioxide emissions; this figure grew faster than any other end-use sector except for industry2 between 1990 and 2022, and is expected to grow by a further 11% between 2020 and 2030 after accounting for announced emission reduction pledges.

Reliable transport infrastructure and safety are the backbone to sustainable mobility. Young urbanites prioritize travel experience–safety, travel time and connectivity–when choosing transport. Improving and expanding rail networks, bus stops, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and pedestrian infrastructure is essential to wider adoption.