Smart Mobility for Growing Cities: Insights from Global Collaboration

Jun 19, 2025

Smart Mobility for Growing Cities: Insights from Global Collaboration 

At the recent Sustainable Urban Mobility Training held in Gangwon, South Korea (20-27 May 2025), city representatives and urban mobility professionals from across Asia gathered for this week-long exchange organized by UN-Habitat and the International Urban Training Center. The program provided a platform for peer learning, policy dialogue, and strategic insights on accelerating the shift toward low-emission urban mobility.

During this event, Shritu Shrestha from Wuppertal Institute presented key insights from the GIANTS EU Project, highlighting the role of frugal Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs) as a practical and scalable solution for cities facing resource and infrastructure constraints. This approach offers a compelling vision of electric mobility that is locally adaptable, cost-efficient, and aligned with both environmental and social sustainability goals.

The training brought together delegates from a diverse range of Asian cities, including those in the Philippines (General Santos, Iloilo), Nepal (Lalitpur, Chandragiri), Pakistan (Islamabad), Cambodia (Siem Reap, Phnom Penh), Laos (Pakse, Vientiane), Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar), and Vietnam (Hue) – all of whom are navigating complex challenges in urban transport.

 

Why This Matters

Electric mobility is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Cities in Asia are uniquely positioned to leapfrog traditional vehicle adoption models by integrating light, affordable, and low-emission transport modes. The “frugal innovation” approach showcased by the GIANTS project offers actionable insights for decision-makers aiming to meet climate goals while improving urban livability and access.

Engagements like these are crucial for:

  • Knowledge exchange across between countries and cites in the region.
  • Capacity building among municipal stakeholders.
  • Aligning local priorities with global sustainability targets, including the SDGs and the Paris Agreement.

As urban populations continue to grow, the need for cost-efficient, scalable, and environmentally sound transport solutions becomes ever more urgent. We remain committed to supporting cities worldwide in this transition through data-driven research, pilot programs, and strategic partnerships.