From Salalah, AUDI Launches Report on Sustainable Urban Mobility in Arab Cities at ATO’s 20th General Assembly

During its participation in the 20th General Assembly of the Arab Towns Organization (ATO) in Salalah, Sultanate of Oman, the Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI) launched its report titled: “Sustainable Urban Mobility in Arab Cities - Innovative Practices and Solutions.” The report was launched during a specialized session titled “The Future of Sustainable Urban Mobility in Arab Cities,” which brought together a number of Arab city leaders to address the transformations forming urban mobility systems and the challenges and opportunities associated with their development.

The report provides an analytical overview of the current state of urban mobility in the Arab region, drawing on a comparative analysis of leading global experiences and a comprehensive assessment of 60 urban mobility projects across Arab cities. The assessment covers several areas, including governance and community participation, environmental sustainability and resilience, economic development, social justice, and innovation, providing deeper insight into the factors affecting the success and impact of urban mobility initiatives.

The session was opened by H.E. Dr. Anas Almughairy, AUDI Director General, who announced the launch of the report. Dr. Ziad Ahmad Alameddine, Director of the Urban Policy Research Program at AUDI, then presented the report’s methodology and key findings. The session also featured a discussion on the experiences of Arab cities and the challenges they face in implementing sustainable mobility solutions, along with a review of relevant practices and lessons learned.

The report identifies the need to enhance integration among the components of urban mobility systems as the main challenge facing Arab cities. This includes improving connectivity between different modes of transport and strengthening coordination among stakeholders. It also emphasizes the importance of achieving a better balance between large-scale infrastructure projects and low-cost solutions, such as active mobility and improved accessibility, while more effectively integrating socio-economic considerations into urban mobility policies. 

In light of these findings, the report proposes an integrated framework for developing urban mobility systems in Arab cities based on three interconnected pillars: integrated governance that promotes institutional coordination and stakeholder engagement; human- and climate-centric design that supports behavioral change and enhances the user experience; and financing and implementation models that promote the economic and operational sustainability of projects. The report also presents practical recommendations to strengthen the integration of policies and infrastructure and develop more efficient, resilient, and equitable transportation systems in Arab cities.

The report was prepared by AUDI with support from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, as part of the project “Supporting Green Activities in Selected Arab Cities – Participatory Greening of Neighborhoods.” It is primarily based on projects published on the AUDI’s Arab Urban Development Portal, alongside a review of several regional and international experiences in sustainable urban mobility.

The session concluded with a discussion on the most prominent challenges facing cities in implementing sustainable mobility solutions, practical experiences and lessons learned, the role of regional cooperation and financing in accelerating the transition to more sustainable urban transportation systems, and the importance of enhancing the exchange of knowledge and expertise among Arab cities.