The Toyota Mobility Foundation, in partnership with Challenge Works and World Resources Institute, has launched a £7 million, three-year global challenge to help cities adapt to the future, with the potential to transform the lives of millions of people around the world.
As cities grow and evolve, the challenges of moving people and goods in reliable, efficient, and inclusive ways have never been more important. At the same time, opportunities to apply advances in transport modes, infrastructure design, operations, energy options and connected data systems, are particularly promising.
The Sustainable Cities Challenge aims to improve people’s lives by increasing access to jobs, education and other essential services. It will bring cities and innovators together to implement mobility solutions that could reduce carbon, improve accessibility and use data to build more resilient transport systems.
Ryan Klem, Director of Programs at the Toyota Mobility Foundation, said, “Our experience over the past decade has underscored the importance of local cities’ buy-in and engagement with our activities.
“Throughout the Sustainable Cities Challenge, we are looking to work alongside cities to find innovative solutions in the areas they identify as critical to develop a scalable model for the cities of tomorrow.”
Entry to the first stage of the Challenge is open to city leaders and municipal governments, transport departments and other related local and regional agencies. Entries should be submitted to meet one or more of the following themes:
- Expanding access to safe, affordable, and inclusive modes of transportation
- Harnessing the power of data to create connected and resilient mobility ecosystems
- Reducing environmental impact through low-carbon and renewable energy solutions
Shortlisted cities will be invited to attend a capacity-building academy in the US and will receive support developing their challenge design, becoming part of a wider network of other innovative city teams.
In February 2024, three winning cities will be selected to host a City Challenge to attract entries from global innovators. Innovators could be homegrown – living in the city or country chosen – or may be from anywhere across the globe, but with solutions applicable and adapted to the winning cities.
The winning innovators for each city will be announced in late 2024, and the cities and innovators will share $9 million in funding to test and roll out their solutions.
