The theme has a geographical emphasis on rapidly-changing urban environments in Africa and other urban contexts with similar conditions, challenges and opportunities, e.g. India, Southeast Asia, and to some extent Latin America and China.

To some extent access can be provided through proximity and concentration of activities, but people also need to move around in the city to reach desired destinations. Many city residents travel long distances, spending several hours a day in cars, buses, trains or simply walking.

Hence, mobility is a key aspect of urban life and impacts a wide range of issues beyond the mobility and transportation system itself, such as justice, security and equality, climate change and the use of natural resources. Many cities are quite dependent on mobility through private car use. However, urban sustainability policies around the world are now developing in directions that focus increasingly on other modes of transportation, including public transportation, walking, biking and also so-called shared mobility solutions.

We know a lot about technologies, people’s behaviour and perceptions, system operation, finance, and the environmental and climate effects of urban mobility systems. Nevertheless, research is still needed to investigate and draw conclusions from the different contexts and stories around the world, and to contribute findings to improving policies and practice. With this in mind, VREF continues to support activities under the theme of Mobility and Access in Cities.