India’s iconic city Varanasi, a spiritual hub on the banks of the River Ganges and Parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Detroit, the historic 'Motor City' in the US, and Venice, Italy’s iconic canal city, has been selected to host the much-sought after USD 9 million Toyota Mobility Foundation Sustainable Cities Challenge.
Announced early last year, this initiative aims to accelerate sustainable mobility, fostering healthier and safer urban environments in the cities selected for the task. Each city will have USD 3 million to develop innovative, data-driven solutions to enhance accessibility and safety.
Varanasi’s Challenge focuses on generating innovative, data-driven solutions incorporating elements of technology and design that will help make crowded areas of Varanasi's old city (Kashi) safer and more accessible for religious tourists and local residents alike including vulnerable members of the population. Known for its ghats and temples such as the Kashi Vishwanath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, for education and learning and art and culture Varanasi draws millions of visitors each year.
Akshat Verma, Municipal Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer, Varanasi Municipal Corporation/Varanasi Smart City said, “This initiative offers us a valuable chance to explore technical and design-related avenues for enhancing mobility within our city, benefiting both our residents and the growing influx of tourists.
“By collaborating with innovative minds, we aim to bolster Varanasi’s reputation as a premier global tourist destination.” He said the Varanasi City Challenge will be kicked off by June-end 2024.
Meanwhile, in Detroit, the challenge is focused on Eastern Market food production and distribution centre, reducing fossil fuel use and cutting costs of freight operations "by increasing efficiencies and unlocking opportunities for clean freight
technologies". Meanwhile, Venice's issues are around the majority of the population, which lives and works in mainland suburbs such as Mestre and Maghera, and the city is looking for "innovative solutions that shift behaviour, encouraging an increased use and adoption of existing sustainable transport modes".
The Toyota Mobility Foundation, in collaboration with the World Resources Institute and Challenge Works, will work with local organizations to identify urban mobility barriers and create actionable solutions.
Global innovators will be invited to access funding and demonstrate their concepts to improve transportation in these cities. Ryan Klem, director of programs at the Toyota Mobility Foundation, said: "Our hope is that the Sustainable Cities Challenge will provide the great cities of Detroit, Varanasi and Venice with new ideas that can potentially be scaled and replicated around the world, amplifying the impact to transform people’s lives.”
Ben Welle, director of integrated transport and innovation at WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, said: “Detroit, Varanasi and Venice all have distinct mobility barriers, but they also share the same circumstances and concerns with many other cities around the world."
The cities were chosen from a list of 10 cities shortlisted in November 2023, which was whittled down from more than 150 entrants.
These were Bengaluru, India, Detroit, US, Fortaleza, Brazil, Medellín, Colombia, Mexico City, Mexico, New Orleans, US, Seberang Perai, Malaysia, Varanasi, India, Venice, Italy and York, UK.
Over 150 cities from 46 countries entered the Challenge after the call to cities was first launched in June 2023 and over the last months, the list was narrowed to 10 and now finally 3 cities i.e. Varanasi, Detroit and Venice.
