High Volume Transport

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Inclusive Transport at EST: A Pathway to Low-Carbon, Resilient Cities

As cities in Asia continue to grow at an unprecedented rate, the need for sustainable and inclusive transport solutions is urgent. At the 16th High-Level Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Forum, hosted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila, experts gathered to discuss how to make transport systems both greener and more inclusive. With over half of the global urban population now living in Asia, and demand for passenger transport set to rise by nearly 80% by 2050, the transport sector is at a pivotal point. But as cities expand and infrastructure changes, there is a significant risk that vulnerable groups could be left behind.

At a pre-event co-hosted by the HVT programme, researchers and partners came together to highlight how a data-driven, inclusive approach can pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable transport system in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The session, entitled Inclusive Transport: An Evidence Base and Decision-Making Tools for a Just Transition to Low-Carbon Transport, emphasized the crucial need for inclusive transport policies to ensure no one is left behind during the transition to greener, more resilient urban infrastructures.

The session was introduced by Dr. Kalpana Viswanath, HVT ambassador and CEO of Safetipin, a social enterprise focused on gender-responsive urban systems. Dr. Viswanath emphasized that improving transport systems starts with research and, importantly, the need for robust data to drive decision-making. The HVT programme, which has supported research in both Asia and Africa, has been instrumental in collecting the data needed to shape more inclusive urban transport policies. Through understanding the mobility challenges of different demographic groups, we can create transport systems that work for everyone.

Dr. Sheilah Napalang delivered the keynote address, focusing on gender-responsive transport in the Philippines. She presented key findings from her research on motorbike taxis in Manila, where she discovered that a significant portion of the users had previously relied on walking or public transport. This shift in transport choices underscores an important point: to ensure people continue to use public transport, we must constantly improve it, to make it more reliable and accessible.

The forum also featured presentations from India, a country grappling with rapid urbanization and climate change impacts. Dr. Deepty Jain from IIT Delhi’s Transport Research Department presented her HVT research on the impact of heat on women’s mobility in Delhi. Dr. Jain shared data showing that 65% of women in Delhi walk as their primary mode of transport, which makes them particularly vulnerable during heatwaves. The lack of safe, shaded walking infrastructure exacerbates the issue, especially since women, due to caregiving roles and time constraints, often have to walk during the hottest parts of the day. Addressing these issues, along with improving public transport, could help alleviate the strain on women’s mobility and ensure they can navigate the city safely, even during extremely hot weather.

Also from India, Sonal Shah, founder of Urban Catalysts, presented her research on the role of data in improving the safety and reliability of public transport for women and girls in Indian cities. Through surveys, focus groups, discussions with bus depot staff, and analysis of complaints received via helplines, Sonal’s team identified key concerns around women’s safety and failure to report harassment issues. Findings revealed limited awareness of existing safety initiatives among women and a distinct gender-bias among frontline staff.

In Bangladesh, three-wheelers, like rickshaws and auto-rickshaws, are vital to the nations’s transport system, but their slow speeds and lack of protection make them prone to accidents. Dr. Nazmus Sakib, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Islamic University of Technology (IUT), is tackling this issue through his HVT work. He presented his project which aims to make three-wheelers safer, paving the way for more inclusive urban mobility.

Recent initiatives from Ethiopia and Nigeria highlight innovative approaches to addressing accessibility and gender equity in public transportation. Dmtsu Gebremariam Hagos, an urban planner and researcher from Mekelle, Ethiopia, presented his recent HVT study addressing the challenges faced by people with disabilities in navigating the city’s urban environment. His work focused on identifying barriers within existing transport systems and resulted in the development of a disability-friendly design and infrastructure guide.

In Lagos, Nigeria, the focus is on addressing sexual harassment as well as gender equity in public transport. Tim Durant from SLR Consultants and Seun Sonoiki from the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) shared insights on combating sexual harassment on the city’s transport system. Using a pioneering online decision-making tool, the SHE-CAN tool, they’ve enabled local stakeholders to identify and tackle harassment effectively. This tool informed the launch of Lagos’ Gender Equity Plan, a policy framework designed to ensure safer, more inclusive travel experiences for women.

After the presentations, a moderated discussion allowed the speakers to address questions from the audience. The discussion highlighted several key issues for building more inclusive transport systems:

The session closed with each speaker sharing a key takeaway. The consensus was clear: inclusive, data-driven approaches are essential for creating transport systems that serve everyone.