The Toyota Mobility Foundation has announced Detroit, Varanasi, and Venice as the host cities for its $9 million Sustainable Cities Challenge. This global initiative aims to foster healthier, safer urban environments and enhance sustainable mobility through innovative solutions.
Chosen from a pool of over 150 cities across 46 countries, these three cities will each receive $3 million in funding to address their unique mobility challenges. Innovators worldwide are invited to submit their proposals, with the best solutions to be tested and implemented in real-world scenarios.
Detroit, Michigan, USA
Detroit will focus on the Eastern Market, the nation’s largest food production and distribution center. The challenge seeks solutions to reduce fossil fuel use and cut costs in freight operations, aiming to improve the health and well-being of the Eastern Market community.
Tim Slusser, Chief of the City of Detroit’s Office of Mobility Innovation, expressed excitement about the selection, highlighting Detroit’s historical innovations in transportation and the city’s commitment to sustainable growth.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Varanasi aims to address safety and crowding concerns in its densely populated old city, Kashi. The challenge seeks data-driven, innovative solutions to make these areas safer and more accessible for both tourists and local residents.
Akshat Verma, IAS, Municipal Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer, Varanasi Municipal Corporation, emphasized the importance of this initiative in enhancing Varanasi’s mobility and maintaining its reputation as a premier global tourist destination.
Venice, Veneto, Italy
Venice will focus on encouraging the use of sustainable transport modes in its mainland suburbs. The challenge aims to shift behavior towards increased adoption of existing sustainable mobility infrastructure and services.
Paola Ravenna, Head of the European Policies Department for the City of Venice, noted that the challenge provides an opportunity to rethink mobility in Venice and overcome existing barriers through innovative solutions.
The Challenge
The Sustainable Cities Challenge, designed in partnership with Challenge Works and the World Resources Institute, aims to develop data-driven, sustainable mobility solutions tailored to each city’s specific needs. Innovators from around the world are invited to participate, with selected solutions to be tested and refined in collaboration with local transportation departments and infrastructure.
Ryan Klem, Director of Programs at the Toyota Mobility Foundation, expressed hope that the challenge will generate scalable ideas to improve mobility and transform lives globally. Kathy Nothstine from Challenge Works and Ben Welle from WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities emphasized the potential for creative problem-solving to address complex mobility barriers.
As Detroit, Varanasi, and Venice embark on this innovative journey, the Sustainable Cities Challenge represents a significant step towards achieving sustainable, inclusive urban mobility worldwide.
