Sustainable Cities in Motion A Dialogue on Equity, Culture & Clean Mobility

The World Symposium on Sustainable Transport and Liveability at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, is designed to create a vital platform for academics, policymakers, and practitioners to come together and discuss the pressing needs of sustainable mobility. Two episodes in the WSSTL-2025 podcast series bring together distinct yet complementary voices: Professor Aruna Sivakumar, Professor, Imperial College London, and Ewout de Wit, Consul General of the Netherlands in Bengaluru. One brings the lens of data and urban science, the other of diplomacy and lived urban transitions. Together, they explore the evolution of transport systems that are not only efficient but equitable, inclusive, and resilient in the face of today’s complex challenges, state Prof. Ashish Verma and Maneesha B, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

Rethinking Movement: Data, Design and Inclusion

Prof. Aruna Sivakumar, Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, UK

 

In the end, it’s a story of transformation—of historic cities reinventing themselves and fast-growing urban centres striving to leap ahead. At the heart of it all, intention matters: the will to design cities not just for movement, but for meaning, equity, and resilience.

– Prof. Aruna Sivakumar

Take the London Tube – a sprawling, century-old subway system that’s both an engineering marvel and a massive operational challenge. Professor Sivakumar guides us through what it takes to bring this giant into the modern era. Narrow tunnels, ageing signalling systems, and addressing air quality issues are important. By 2041, the network is expected to handle 15 million trips per day, making modernisation urgent yet complex. What makes this transformation remarkable is its complexity: replacing infrastructure piece by piece, often during limited weekend hours, while minimising disruptions. Here, technology plays a pivotal role. Sophisticated AI and data analytics are where the trick is, which keeps the system running smoothly. But according to Professor Sivakumar, the ultimate goal is not just efficiency—it’s equity and sustainability.

But London’s vision goes beyond moving people efficiently – it’s about making the city cleaner and fairer. What stands out is how equity and inclusion are woven through every plan, with well-thought-out plans called Equity in Motion. With successful collaborations, charities and nonprofits work hand-in-hand with authorities, creating a strong community around sustainable mobility.

Policies like congestion pricing and low-emission zones hold significant promise for Indian cities, as acknowledged by Professor Sivakumar. However, she emphasizes the need for careful and context-sensitive implementation. The challenges are substantial: even where public transport networks are relatively robust, they often struggle to meet the needs of the broader population. This reflects deeper issues in systematic planning, integration with land-use policies, and the absence of data-driven decision-making frameworks.

 For such policies to be effective and equitable, safety, public health, and equity must be at the heart of urban planning efforts. These principles, supported by reliable data and robust modelling, can help cities navigate the complexity of transitioning to more sustainable and inclusive mobility systems.

As the conversation closes, she highlights how the future depends not only on latest technology but also on basic urban planning principles: data and planning. The future she envisions lies at the intersection of technology and thoughtful urban design, where tools like AI and machine learning will play a transformative role. From optimising transit routes, managing traffic operations and improving system efficiency, these technologies offer powerful possibilities.

Cycling to a High Quality of Life: Lessons from the Netherlands

Mr. Ewout de Wit, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bengaluru

The Dutch experience illustrates how cycling is a powerful driver of sustainable urban living. It enhances mobility, reduces reliance on cars, and creates cities where people can enjoy cleaner air, safer streets, and more vibrant communities.

– Mr. Ewout de Wit

The transformation of the Netherlands from a car-dominated society after World War II to a world leader in cycling infrastructure and culture is a remarkable story of long-term urban planning driven by community passion and innovative policies. After World War II, influenced by reconstruction efforts and economic support such as the Marshall Plan, cities in the Netherlands—like many across Europe—were redesigned with cars in mind. During this period, car ownership increased rapidly, and infrastructure was reoriented to support motor traffic. In several cities, even historic canals were filled in to make way for roads and parking spaces.

Following a tragic rise in traffic accidents involving children during the post-war car boom, a powerful bottom-up movement called ‘Stop de Kindermood’ or “Stop the Child Murder” sparked widespread public demand for safer streets. This movement shifted the country’s focus toward cycling as a primary mode of transport, putting safety and community well-being front and centre. Over the years, the Netherlands developed into what it is today through standardizing road design, sharing mutual learnings, creating safer junctions, engaging communities, and maintaining constant improvements in urban mobility and safety.

The ambitious Amsterdam Green Infrastructure Vision 2050 further weaves cycling into a broader strategy that links green spaces, urban sustainability, and climate resilience, demonstrating how mobility and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. Accessibility plays a key role in Dutch urban liveability, leading to people-friendly climate-resilient cities. Most everyday services are within a 2-kilometer radius, supporting resilient, sustainable communities. This proximity supports urban resilience by fostering neighbourhoods that are both liveable and well-connected. Government investment plays a vital role in sustaining this culture.

In the Netherlands, modern bicycle parking facilities and secure racks are widely available, making it easy and convenient to choose a bike over a car. Meanwhile, private sector innovations, such as family-oriented bicycle designs, complement public efforts by expanding access to cycling for all ages and needs. It is important to incorporate pedestrians and cyclists into design considerations from the earliest stages—not as add-ons or afterthoughts. These active mobility facilities must be complemented by a reliable and efficient public transportation system to create truly sustainable and inclusive urban environments.

In the Netherlands, cycling is not just a form of exercise or leisure—it is a primary mode of transport. Interestingly, helmets are rarely worn, reflecting the country’s safe and well-designed cycling environment. However, with the growing popularity of faster e-bikes, there is an increasing emphasis on helmet use among younger riders to foster a lasting culture of safety. This culture is reinforced by an infrastructure that inspires confidence and security among cyclists—something often missing in cities with less developed cycling systems.

In the Netherlands, cycling is an essential part of daily life that contributes deeply to the nation’s high quality of life and sustainable urban living. This success is no accident but the result of decades of thoughtful planning, continuous innovation, and a culture that embraces cycling as a practical, safe, and green way to get around.