Did you know that the majority of people in the United States now live in urban areas? According to the Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Chicago, 83% of the population lives in cities, which is up from 64% in 1950.
This trend is expected to continue, with an estimated 89% of Americans and 68% of people worldwide projected to live in cities by 2050. There are over 300 urban areas in the U.S. with populations exceeding 100,000 people, and the largest of these is New York City with 8.8 million residents.
Cities are vital cultural and economic centers, offering opportunities for work, play, and education. However, there is growing concern about the environmental impact of cities and the need to reduce this impact while improving the quality of life for urban residents.
Cities rely on energy and resources to sustain their growing populations and infrastructure, and it is essential to find ways to make these systems more sustainable.
A $9 million global challenge has been launched by the Toyota Mobility Foundation in partnership with Challenge Works and World Resources Institute. The initiative aims to support cities in adapting to the future and has the potential to positively impact millions of lives worldwide.
The growth and evolution of cities have made it increasingly challenging to move people and goods in reliable, efficient, and inclusive ways. The Sustainable Cities Challenge aims to enhance people’s lives by improving access to essential services, education, and employment opportunities.
The challenge will unite cities and innovators to create mobility solutions that can reduce carbon emissions, enhance accessibility, and develop more resilient transport systems using data.
Municipal governments, city leaders, transport departments, and related agencies can participate in the challenge by submitting entries under one or more of the following themes- expanding access to safe, affordable, and inclusive modes of transportation, utilizing data to establish connected and resilient mobility ecosystems, and minimizing environmental impact through low-carbon and renewable energy solutions. The top three winning cities will receive funding to test and implement their solutions.
As cities grow, it is important to sustain and improve service, particularly for vulnerable communities.🧵 pic.twitter.com/YwOCVXge7y
— Toyota Mobility Foundation (@ToyotaMobFdn) July 14, 2023
Applications for our Sustainable Cities Challenge have been open for a month! There’s still time to enter your city for funding to implement innovative mobility solutions.
Find out more about our exciting new Challenge at https://t.co/fvXnB0K1Tf#TMFSustainableCities pic.twitter.com/cGwviGrREy
— Toyota Mobility Foundation (@ToyotaMobFdn) July 21, 2023
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