At the twelfth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) in November, The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) at the University of York hosted discussions on sustainable urban transport and highlighted a key message: transport plans must be designed to be both inclusive and climate-resilient to ensure that no one is left behind. This approach is particularly important in Africa, where many people rely on walking and cycling as their primary modes of transportation.
At the forum in Cairo – the biggest global conference on sustainable urbanisation – the SEI team delivered a masterclass on creative methods for inclusive climate-resilient transport planning, showcasing tools and resources for inclusive design developed as part of an ongoing HVT-funded project. This year’s theme, “It All Starts at Home” emphasised that local action is essential to achieve sustainable development. The outcome of the WUF12 was the 10-point Cairo Call to Action – of which #3 speaks to the HVT project: “Localization can only happen when all relevant stakeholders, cities and communities have decision-making power including through meaningful dialogue. The role of youth, women and persons with disabilities is also key for local action, among other stakeholders.”
The workshop was attended by participants from both the Global North and South, among them representatives from academia, research, NGOs and UN programmes. Through interactive sessions using case studies, they were shown the impacts of climate events, and taught how to use creative participatory tools such as digital storytelling, participatory mapping and AI.
The SEI’s Steve Cinderby explained the idea behind participatory mapping, and shared innovative ways to engage communities in transport planning, offering solutions to address urban challenges through inclusive planning practices. Howard Cambridge discussed generative AI, demonstrating how technology can support inclusive transport solutions and redefine the future of urban planning. And Gary Haq tackled equity and justice, examining methods to amplify the voices of disadvantaged groups in climate-resilient urban transport planning.
These interactive sessions were well received. Some people had already heard about the participatory mapping or AI, or had used them before, but other approaches were new to them.
The SEI team also presented their research at the launch of the Pan African Action Plan for Active Mobility (PAAPAM) hosted by their collaborators, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The launch highlighted the importance of investing in walking, cycling, and other non-motorized transport modes for health, the environment, safety, and equality. It brought together stakeholders committed to advancing sustainable and inclusive mobility across East Africa and included high-level engagement from the Ethiopian State Minister of Transport and Logistics, representatives from the African Union Commission, and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), underscoring the importance of this work at regional and international levels.
Steve Cinderby later presented HVT’s work at the WUF Urban Library session, showcasing the significant number of publications available to planners, policymakers, decision-makers and researchers on the HVT website.
To see all of SEI’s work, including the project Inclusive Climate Transport Planning in Africa visit our website.