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Nouakchott Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan

Nouakchott, Mauritania

2024 - Ongoing

Climate ChangeInfrastructureMobilityTransportation

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Project Description

Approach Words: Integrated City, Sustainability, Urban Livability

Public Policy Instruments: Financial Mechanism, Physical Intervention, Planning

The Nouakchott Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUM Plan) is a new public initiative launched in 2023 to transform Mauritania’s city transport.¹
This innovative project is unique in its commitment to improving accessibility for the poorest households while integrating modern technologies to foster resilience and efficiency in urban transport.² The plan is set to progressively transform Nouakchott’s transport infrastructure over the coming years.³
The project envisions Nouakchott as a “model of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban mobility”,⁴ where all residents have safe, reliable, and equitable access to city transport.⁵
The plan seeks to enhance transport accessibility for marginalized communities, reduce environmental impacts, and improve system-wide efficiency.⁶ As part of a broader regional framework for sustainable urban development, it aligns with national and international development strategies.

Title: Road Network for different transportation Projects.

Source: Click Here

Title: Road Network Construction Diagram for each phase.

Source: Click Here

Title: Proposed Public Transport Network.

Source: Click Here

Title: workshop for Launch of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan of Nouakchott.

Source: Click Here

Title: Road Network for different transportation Projects.

Source: Click Here

Title: Road Network Construction Diagram for each phase.

Source: Click Here

Title: Proposed Public Transport Network.

Source: Click Here

Title: workshop for Launch of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan of Nouakchott.

Source: Click Here

To implement this vision, the Nouakchott Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan covers key transportation corridors, residential districts, and commercial centers across Nouakchott.⁷ The plan target:

Expanded public transport coverage and frequency⁸
Reduced average commute times⁹
A modal shift toward non-motorized and public transport¹⁰

Specifically, key infrastructure components include:

Dedicated bus lanes and upgraded public transport routes¹¹
Modernized pedestrian zones and cycling paths¹²
Smart traffic management systems for real-time routing¹³
Energy-efficient street lighting and low-carbon urban design features¹⁴
Accessible transit stops for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups¹⁵

In terms of sustainability, the plan integrates traditional urban planning practices with modern innovations, emphasizing renewable energy solutions, efficient water management, and smart infrastructure design to ensure long-term environmental conservation and resilience.¹⁶ It also promotes modal shifts to public and active transport and targets improved mobility for underserved areas and vulnerable groups through inclusive, forward-looking investments,¹⁷ ¹⁸
transforming Nouakchott into a sustainable urban development with equitable and efficient mobility solutions.¹⁹

Owner/Developer (Public)

Nouakchott Municipality

the Ministry of Transport ²⁴

Owner/Developer

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)²⁵

Consultant/Designer

Transitec ²⁶

Funder

European Union ²⁷

Owner/Developer (Public)

Nouakchott Municipality

the Ministry of Transport ²⁴

Owner/Developer

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)²⁵

Funder

European Union ²⁷

Consultant/Designer

Transitec ²⁶

SUM Plan in Nouakchott is led by Nouakchott Municipality and the Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with international partners such as JICA and Meridiam.²⁰ Joint efforts with financial institutions and development agencies, supporting feasibility, implementation and capacity-building.²¹

The implementation is structured in multiple phases:²²

Phase 1: Planning, feasibility studies, and stakeholder engagement
Phase 2: Infrastructure development and smart mobility pilots
Phase 3 (current): Full-scale rollout of transport services and connectivity upgrades

As of 2025, pilot interventions have already improved mobility and accessibility in selected districts.²³

Project Link, Endnotes and References

Project Link

N.A.

Endnotes

N.A.

References

‘Launch of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan of Nouakchott’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://transitec.net/en/news/item/11161-launch-of-the-sustainable-urban-mobility-plan-of-nouakchott.html
‘Nouakchott: a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan to improve accessibility for the poorest’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://transitec.net/en/news/item/11336-nouakchott-a-sustainable-urban-mobility-plan-to-improve-accessibility-for-the-poorest-households.html
‘Launch of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan of Nouakchott’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://transitec.net/en/news/item/11161-launch-of-the-sustainable-urban-mobility-plan-of-nouakchott.html
‘From Mauritania to Armenia: two new cities on their way to sustainable mobility | MobiliseYourCity’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://www.mobiliseyourcity.net/mauritania-armenia-two-new-cities-their-way-sustainable-mobility
‘A sustainable, resilient and equitable development in the Nouakchott region | FFEM – Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://www.ffem.fr/en/carte-des-projets/sustainable-resilient-and-equitable-development-nouakchott-region
The World Bank. (n.d.). ‘Mauritania Transport Policy Note’. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/878001625140712976/pdf/Mauritania-Transport-Policy-Note.pdf
crn. (n.d.). ‘2 pilot bus LINES FOR DISADVANTAGED NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY OF.NOUAKCHOTT’. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://crn.mr/fr/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Project-summary_-mobility-and-transport.pdf
crn. (n.d.). ‘2 pilot bus LINES FOR DISADVANTAGED NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY OF.NOUAKCHOTT’. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://crn.mr/fr/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Project-summary_-mobility-and-transport.pdf
crn. (n.d.). ‘2 pilot bus LINES FOR DISADVANTAGED NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY OF.NOUAKCHOTT’. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://crn.mr/fr/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Project-summary_-mobility-and-transport.pdf
‘Nouakchott: a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan to improve accessibility for the poorest’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://transitec.net/en/news/item/11336-nouakchott-a-sustainable-urban-mobility-plan-to-improve-accessibility-for-the-poorest-households.html
‘Launch of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan of Nouakchott’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://transitec.net/en/news/item/11161-launch-of-the-sustainable-urban-mobility-plan-of-nouakchott.html
‘Nouakchott: a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan to improve accessibility for the poorest’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://transitec.net/en/news/item/11336-nouakchott-a-sustainable-urban-mobility-plan-to-improve-accessibility-for-the-poorest-households.html
meridiam. (n.d.). ‘Sustainable and Resilient Cities of Tomorrow’. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://www.meridiam.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/CS35-Sustainable-and-Resilient-cities-Americas-Europe-Africa-Critical-Public-Services.pdf
‘Nouakchott Coastline Development, Mauritania’. (n.d.). meridiam. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://www.meridiam.com/assets/nouakchott-coastal-development-project/
‘From Mauritania to Armenia: two new cities on their way to sustainable mobility | MobiliseYourCity’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://www.mobiliseyourcity.net/mauritania-armenia-two-new-cities-their-way-sustainable-mobility
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). (2018). Nouakchott City Urban Master Plan Development Project In Islamic Republic of Mauritania. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12324729.pdf
‘Nouakchott: a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan to improve accessibility for the poorest’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://transitec.net/en/news/item/11336-nouakchott-a-sustainable-urban-mobility-plan-to-improve-accessibility-for-the-poorest-households.html
‘Nouakchott Coastline Development, Mauritania’. (n.d.). meridiam. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://www.meridiam.com/assets/nouakchott-coastal-development-project/
‘A sustainable, resilient and equitable development in the Nouakchott region | FFEM – Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://www.ffem.fr/en/carte-des-projets/sustainable-resilient-and-equitable-development-nouakchott-region
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). (2018). Nouakchott City Urban Master Plan Development Project In Islamic Republic of Mauritania. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12324737_01.pdf
The World Bank. (n.d.). ‘Mauritania Transport Policy Note’. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/878001625140712976/pdf/Mauritania-Transport-Policy-Note.pdf
crn. (n.d.). ‘2 pilot bus LINES FOR DISADVANTAGED NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY OF.NOUAKCHOTT’. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://crn.mr/fr/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Project-summary_-mobility-and-transport.pdf
‘Nouakchott: a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan to improve accessibility for the poorest’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://transitec.net/en/news/item/11336-nouakchott-a-sustainable-urban-mobility-plan-to-improve-accessibility-for-the-poorest-households.html
‘Launch of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan of Nouakchott’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://transitec.net/en/news/item/11161-launch-of-the-sustainable-urban-mobility-plan-of-nouakchott.html
(N.d.). . Retrieved February 22, 2025, from https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12324729.pdf
‘Launch of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan of Nouakchott’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://transitec.net/en/news/item/11161-launch-of-the-sustainable-urban-mobility-plan-of-nouakchott.html
(N.d.). . Retrieved February 22, 2025, from https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12324729.pdf

Nouakchott Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan

Nouakchott, Mauritania

2024 - Ongoing

Project Description

Project Link, Endnotes and References

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