Redefining Urban Mobility (RUM)
With an average growth rate of 3 percent, Pakistan is the fastest urbanizing country in South Asia. Yet, there is no formal urban development policy. This is leading to the unplanned expansion of cities, which in turn is increasing intra-city distances. The administration's response to the rising transportation demand so far has been to expand the road infrastructure to connect the surrounding integrated areas with the city center. While this strategy facilitates vehicular flow, it intensifies traffic congestion and parking issues in the long run. The increased flow of traffic also discourages walking and the use of bicycles, hence limiting overall mobility in the city.
The car-centric mobility landscape is also no longer sustainable against the backdrop of the climate crisis as the transportation sector accounts for one-quarter of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, vehicular emissions negatively impact the livability in cities by diminishing the air quality and exacerbating the issue of air pollution and smog. Evidence suggests that 43% of the air pollutants responsible for smog in Punjab province are contributed by motorized road vehicles. Apart from air pollution, the transport sector is leading to land and water degradation. Green areas and open spaces, which allow the city landscape to breathe, are cleared/infringed upon for expansion of road infrastructure and parking. The spread of concrete-dominated surfaces prevents recharge of the underground aquifers, increases the risk of urban flooding, and intensifies the urban heat island effect which increases the average temperature in urban areas.
The damaging effects of road transportation underscore the need to shift from individual mobility practices and replace them with integrated mass urban transit facilities, pedestrian pathways, and safe bicycles lanes. IoU, therefore, aims to:
- Influence policies and legislations to ensure that urban mobility is inclusive and environment centric
- Through empirical research, advocacy and dialogues, introduce urban mobility as a policy priority and highlight planning needs especially pertaining to environmental conservation and social inclusion
- Assist in promotion and exploration of transport facilities/options that help reduce carbon footprint of transport sector and cater to the needs of masses especially women, youth, and persons with disabilities
- Generate demand for inclusive and eco-friendly urban mobility patterns through engagement of stakeholders especially private sector and key transport sector representatives
