mo·bil·i·ty

the ability to freely and easily move goods and people

A new report on mobility by Devex, in partnership with the Toyota Mobility Foundation, surveyed 1,200 global development professionals — both international and local staff based around the globe — and interviewed 48 experts on how improved mobility can drive development progress.

As the world enters its most mobile age ever, being able to get from one place to another — and to do so safely, affordably, with dignity, and in an environmentally sustainable way — is essential for basic human needs.

Here’s what we learned:

The numbers

1 billion

people lack access to all-weather roads in rural areas

$1.4 trillion

is the annual cost of traffic jams worldwide

2 billion

is the number of vehicles worldwide projected by 2035

5 mobility solutions for better development progress

Design solutions to meet everyone’s needs

For any mobility solution to be effective, it must meet the needs of the people it is intended to serve. How? It starts with human-centered design that ensures that society in its entirety is involved in the process from the start.

Government officials, private sector companies, and even development professionals who devise transport solutions aren’t always aware of when, where, and why some groups need to travel and the challenges they face.”

William Chernicoff, senior manager of global research and innovation, Toyota Mobility Foundation

Tailor solutions to the terrain

A one-size-fits-all approach will not work with mobility — solutions need to adapt to local geography, weather, and on-the-ground conditions.

Across the country, in any city, no matter how big or small, travel times have been increasing, and this is leading to a poor quality of life.”

Prashanth Bachu, urban transport specialist, GearChange

Look towards alternative transport options

Roads alone will not solve transportation issues in urban settings. It’s time for governments and city officials to target imbalances across all transport networks.

It’s time that we accept that the bicycle is the most efficient transport mode that we can have, that any country can have.”

Raj Cherubal, CEO, Chennai Smart City Mission, India

Embrace
technology

Technology and innovation offer promising opportunities for mobility, providing new tools to improve efficiency, helping people better navigate current conditions and communicate their perceptions and needs.

Technology can transform the safety and environmental footprint of mobility solutions.”

Andrew Mack, principal, AMGlobal Consulting

Change attitudes and behavior

Improving mobility in developing countries also requires people to change their behavior towards mobility. Stakeholders must understand why mobility solutions are needed, engage in their design and implementation, and be incentivized to change their behavior through a mix of rewards and penalties.

For anything to succeed, there has to be a buy-in of the grassroots, of the people. Otherwise, people will resist it, and they will not own the intervention, or be held accountable.“

Cresencio Montalbo, associate professor, University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning

From the ground up: Local views on mobility and development

A new report by Devex, in partnership with the Toyota Mobility Foundation, investigates how better mobility solutions can improve outcomes for a number of development goals.

Download the Report

Read the takeaways

5 ways mobility improves development outcomes

Article by Devex Editor

In an increasingly mobile world, the ability to travel safely and affordably is central to a number of development goals related to everything from health and education to equality, economic empowerment, and the environment. In a new report, Devex, in partnership with the Toyota Mobility Foundation, explores how mobility can make a difference.

Read the article