Over 90% of Cities Set Mobility Goals for 2035, but Most Lag by 10–15 Points — BCG

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — More than 90% of cities worldwide have established targets to improve urban mobility by 2035, aiming to reduce reliance on private vehicles and shift toward more sustainable modes of transport, including public transit, cycling, and walking.

However, a new study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) shows that most cities are currently falling short of these targets by an average of 10–15 percentage points. Previously, average progress amounted to just 3–5 points per decade, raising doubts about the feasibility of meeting the planned objectives on schedule.

The BCG report, City Mobility Compass: The Global Champions of Urban Mobility, analyzed 150 cities across more than 20 indicators, ranging from traffic congestion and emissions to public transport accessibility, and surveyed over 50 city officials. The findings highlight the challenges cities face in transforming mobility. Over 90% of respondents reported difficulties in identifying the most effective measures, and more than half cited resident resistance as a key barrier. Less than half of the cities engage citizens beyond basic online surveys.

“Cities are running out of time. At current rates, most will not achieve their mobility goals by 2035 — today’s gap is 10–15 percentage points,” said Markus Hagenmaier, head of BCG’s Mobility Innovation Center. He emphasized that ambition alone is insufficient; cities must clearly understand where they lag and which measures will have the greatest impact.

The report identifies leading cities across six archetypes. Among Mass-Transit Megacities, Singapore ranks first, followed by Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, and London. In the Prosperous Innovation Centers category, Utrecht leads, with Helsinki, Vienna, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen following.

For Traditional Middleweights, Stockholm tops the list, ahead of Mannheim, Wellington, Tallinn, and Rotterdam. Multimodal Metropolises are led by Berlin, with Barcelona, Madrid, Nanjing, and Beijing also ranking highly. Among Private Transport Powerhouses, San Francisco leads, surpassing New York, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sydney. In the Developing Urban Giants category, Kuala Lumpur ranks first, followed by Bangalore, Manila, Delhi, and Dhaka.

The Central Asia and Caspian region, including Tashkent, Almaty, Baku, and Istanbul, is not yet represented in the study. However, according to BCG director Pavel Zolotaryov, Tashkent fits within the Traditional Middleweights archetype — medium-sized cities where private cars do not yet dominate but traffic congestion is increasing.

Experts note that cities in this category have the opportunity to alter their development trajectory. Rather than expanding road infrastructure, authorities should prioritize sustainable mobility options such as pedestrian and bicycle routes, public transport, and shared mobility services. These measures are relatively low-cost, provide quick results, and create new business opportunities.

BCG also highlighted significant differences in mobility levels even among cities of similar size. Cities heavily dependent on private cars generate over twice the CO₂ emissions for a ten-minute trip compared to cities with advanced public transport, and residents spend an average of 40 more hours per year commuting.

Developing urban giants face declining transport accessibility and capacity constraints: without additional investment, access to public transit could decrease by 15 percentage points by 2040, and rail infrastructure by 25–30% per capita. Traditional middleweight cities lag in active mobility, with 43% lower bicycle ownership, 36% fewer bike lanes, and 55% fewer shared vehicles per 1,000 residents compared to innovation centers.

To improve urban mobility, BCG recommends that cities focus on critical challenges and untapped potential, integrate disparate measures, and leverage real-time data to model scenarios and guide investment decisions. The City Mobility Health Check Tool provides a digital framework for assessing current development levels and comparing cities within archetypes.

“By 2050, urban populations will increase by another 2.5 billion, making mobility a key factor in attracting talent and investment,” said BCG global urban planning and mobility expert Arturs Smilkstins. “The most successful cities, regardless of size, location, or wealth, share one characteristic: they make data-driven decisions that encourage residents to shift from private cars to more efficient modes of transport.”

Founded in 1963, BCG now operates over 100 offices in more than 50 countries, including offices in Baku and Tashkent (2022) and Almaty (2024). The firm supports organizations in implementing comprehensive transformations, combining industry expertise, digital technologies, and management practices to achieve sustainable growth and competitive advantage.