Sustainability in mobility is often narrowly viewed as merely reducing vehicle emissions—a patchwork approach that misses the bigger picture. True sustainability lies in rethinking how we design cities, How holisticity is ensured in planning, who will fund infrastructure, and how accessible our systems are to everyone. To move from patchwork solutions to lasting impact, mobility planning must shift from being vehicle-focused to value-driven—where inclusive design, equitable funding, and ecological consciousness drive us toward a truly sustainable future.
Holistic Planning: Role of Policymakers
In mobility projects, the first step is to evaluate the costs and benefits, which is done through calculating the Net Present Value (NPV). If the NPV is greater than 0, it indicates that the benefits outweigh the costs. This means the project is economically viable and should be considered for implementation.
However, it’s crucial to not only focus on direct financial costs and benefits but also to include environmental, social, and economic factors in the assessment. Environmental costs and benefits might include the impact on air quality, noise pollution, and carbon emissions, while social costs could involve the effects on community well-being, public health, or accessibility. Economic considerations can encompass employment generation, economic growth, and infrastructure development.
By including these comprehensive factors, we ensure that the project’s true value is considered in a holistic manner, reflecting not just its financial feasibility but also its contribution to society, the environment, and the economy.
Funding the Future: Role of Government
Just as food security is a top priority for governments, pollution control, waste management, and environmental protection should receive the same level of attention. These are fundamental building blocks of life, essential for maintaining public health and long-term environmental stability. Without proactive intervention, unchecked pollution and waste accumulation can lead to severe consequences, including disease outbreaks, water contamination, and air quality crises. These challenges not only threaten human well-being but also place a heavy burden on healthcare systems and economies, making sustainability a critical area for government action.
Unlike profit-driven businesses, sustainability initiatives face high operational costs, uncertain returns, and market failures. While individuals and industries benefit from a cleaner environment, they often do not directly bear the cost of maintaining it. This imbalance creates a gap where essential environmental services struggle to sustain themselves financially. If governments fail to prioritize and incentivize sustainable practices, the consequences will be irreversible—leading to climate disasters, food and water shortages, and widespread public health challenges.
To prevent such crises, structured policies, financial backing, and strong enforcement mechanisms are essential. Governments must integrate sustainability into national development plans by allocating special quotas for environmental initiatives, ensuring dedicated resources and regulatory support. Just as investing in agriculture secures national stability, prioritizing sustainability prevents health emergencies, reduces economic risks, and guarantees a livable future for all.
One effective strategy is the introduction of an Environmental Cess—a dedicated tax levied to fund environmental sustainability projects. Similar to the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC), which supports agricultural infrastructure, an Environmental Cess could be imposed on products and activities contributing to environmental degradation, such as plastic products, fossil fuels, and non-biodegradable materials. The revenue generated would be exclusively allocated to initiatives like waste management, pollution control, and the development of sustainable technologies.
Funding the Future: Role of Corporate sectors
Another mechanism to support sustainability is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). CSR refers to a company’s commitment to ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible business practices. Many governments mandate that corporations allocate a portion of their profits toward CSR initiatives, directing funds to key areas such as education, healthcare, environmental conservation, and public infrastructure—including sustainable public transport. By aligning CSR efforts with national sustainability goals, governments can bridge financial gaps, encourage innovation, and accelerate the transition toward an environmentally responsible society.
Thus, integrating government support with corporate responsibility will strengthen sustainability efforts, making them viable and effective in addressing global environmental challenges. A well-structured approach to sustainability funding will not only protect natural resources but also enhance public well-being and economic resilience for generations to come.
Designing for a Sustainability: Role of Public Authorities
Sustainability requires a paradigm shift in how we design mobility systems, focusing on—shifting from car-centric road designs to pedestrian-centric environments. Back in the days, the system of mobility was entirely designed for economic growth and emergencies. However, currently, motor vehicles and advanced transport systems have now become a daily necessity, replacing natural movement such as walking and cycling.
This transformation is due to the design of mobility infrastructure that encourages hedonic adaptation, where luxuries gradually become necessities and basic expectations.
Consequently, at an individual level, hedonic adaptation makes car ownership seem like a necessity rather than a choice—despite heavy economic strain from debts through vehicle loans and fuel costs. Adding to the above, this adaptation is significantly contributing to increasing pollution, especially from vehicles used for short commutes, and forces reliance on artificial substitutes for walking like treadmills. The result is a vicious cycle of increased congestion, environmental pollution, and a significant drop in residential liveability, affecting air quality, noise levels, and personal well-being, which is what we are currently suffering especially in urban regions.
Moreover, as per the study Díaz Olvera, Plat, and Pochet (2020) and World Health Organization Motorized travel is associated with a greater risk of fatal accidents compared to walking or cycling, which not only jeopardizes road safety but also contradicts governmental goals. To establish truly sustainable mobility, the paradigm shift to pedestrian centric design is essential.
Following are some of the shortcomings in current urban designs in India, standing as evidence to the disproportionate emphasis on vehicular movement over pedestrian and cyclist needs, creating infrastructural imbalances that limit mobility options. One of the major challenges is the lack of well-placed pedestrian crossings. When crossings are insufficiently spaced, pedestrians are forced to walk longer distances or take unsafe routes, while cyclists are often required to take lengthy detours, increasing both physical strain and travel time. Similarly, over-elevated foot overbridges, though designed to facilitate the smooth movement of tall and heavy vehicles, pose significant challenges for pedestrians. The considerable height of these structures requires greater effort to ascend and descend, making them inconvenient, particularly for elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and those carrying heavy loads.
Fragmented footpaths further add to the problem. Despite efforts to integrate pedestrian walkways into urban planning, many remain disjointed, forcing pedestrians onto roads and increasing safety risks. This lack of continuity in pedestrian infrastructure highlights deeper gaps in holistic urban planning. Additionally, dedicated bicycle lanes often suffer from inadequate enforcement, or complete neglect in practical implementation. As a result, cyclists are frequently left to navigate unsafe road conditions, discouraging the use of sustainable transportation alternatives.
To address the challenges posed by an over-reliance on motor vehicles in urban areas, a shift toward pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly infrastructure is essential. This transition will create a more balanced transportation system that prioritizes safety, accessibility, and environmental sustainability.
The problem of insufficient pedestrian crossings can be resolved by implementing well-placed priority crossings at regular intervals. Clearly marked road sections and enhanced surveillance will help enforce pedestrian rights and improve safety. Furthermore, urban planners must ensure that pedestrian crossings are conveniently located near high-footfall areas to minimize the need for long detours or unsafe road crossings.
For over-elevated foot overbridges, solutions include incorporating pedestrian underpasses or designing bridges with gradual inclines, ramps, and escalators. This approach ensures accessibility for elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and those carrying heavy loads. Making these structures more pedestrian-friendly will encourage walking as a viable mode of transport instead of pushing people toward motor vehicle dependency.
To overcome the issue of fragmented footpaths, city planners must prioritize the development of continuous, obstruction-free pedestrian pathways. Footpaths should be well-maintained, wide enough to accommodate all users, and integrated seamlessly into the urban landscape. Properly designed sidewalks will encourage walking and reduce pedestrian spillover onto motor roads, thereby enhancing safety.
Dedicated bicycle lanes must be designed with proper planning, clear demarcation, and enforcement to prevent encroachment by motor vehicles. These lanes should be continuous and well-connected to essential locations, making cycling a safe and viable alternative to short-distance motor travel. Well-planned cycling infrastructure will promote sustainability while reducing congestion and pollution levels.
Finally and most importantly, to tackle congestion caused by heavy motor vehicles passing through city centers and residential areas, dedicated bypass routes must be established. Directing heavy traffic away from densely populated areas will ease congestion, enhance road safety, and improve the quality of life in urban spaces. Restricting heavy vehicles in city centers at peak hours can further contribute to better traffic flow and safer streets.
By adopting a people-first approach to urban planning—focusing on pedestrian-friendly spaces, cyclist-inclusive roads, and well-regulated traffic management—cities can become more sustainable, efficient, and livable. Prioritizing non-motorized transport over unnecessary vehicle expansion is not just an option but a necessity for creating fair, healthy, and future-ready urban spaces.
References:
- Press Information Bureau. (2020, September 2). Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification & Maintenance) Policy 2015 – A step towards sustainable development. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1693879®=3&lang=1
- Díaz Olvera, L., Plat, D., & Pochet, P. (2020). Safe Cycling Network: Developing a system for assessing the safety of cycling infrastructure. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344339740_Safe_Cycling_Network_developing_a_system_for_assessing_the_safety_of_cycling_infrastructure
- World Health Organization. (n.d.). Road traffic injuries. World Health Organization. Retrieved [date], from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/road-traffic-injuries
Sowmya Chithaloori is a Research Assistant in the CRISP Global organization and Assistant Executive Engineer in the Telangana Roads & Buildings Department, with about 7 years of experience in public infrastructure. A dual master’s graduate with a strong foundation in geotechnical engineering and psychology, she is passionate about scientifically integrating mindful and circular sustainable practices into civil works as well as into her personal lifestyle.
