State-level convening and City-level workshop Note

A State Level Convening and City Level Workshop titled ‘Envisioning People Centric, Inclusive, and Sustainable Mobility for Greater Ahmedabad 2047’ was organised on 13th & 14th October 2025 in Ahmedabad. It was a one-and-a-half-day event jointly organised by the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA), Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), CEPT Research and Development Foundation, CEPT University, and Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), under the MobiliseHER project co-funded by the European Union.

Being a part of the MobiliseHER project, the event received an overwhelming response to the discussions on gender inclusive design and planning in urban mobility. It brought together more than 80 participants, including around 30 senior government officials, 10 domain experts, 7 academicians, 6 civil society representatives, and other stakeholders, to collectively shape Ahmedabad’s Mobility Vision 2047. The event witnessed the presence of different authorities from AUDA, AMC, Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation, Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited, etc., along with representatives from different organisations and institutions such as PRIA, Saath, Design for Change, Urban Management Centre, etc., and Institute of Town Planners, India, The World Bank, EY, Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Ltd., WRI India, CEPT University, Institute of Infrastructure, Technology, Research and Management, etc., respectively.

In the inaugural session, the Commissioner of AMC outlined the need for letting women feel at ease while using urban transportation systems. He emphasised that the planning can be centered around women, but should be inclusive to all. Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Authority of AUDA set out the aim to understand different users and their mobility needs, emphasising its importance while designing mobility systems that work for all. The Deputy Commissioner, AMC & Executive Director, AJL, emphasized on considering the specific needs of different sections of society, including women, students, and the elderly, during the preparation of the city’s mobility plan, whereas the Managing Director of GSRTC, underlined the importance of cooperation and institutional integration for effective decision-making and the development of multi-modal hubs along ring roads.

The workshop also included insightful discussions on gender inclusivity by domain experts. Mr Laghu Parashar, from the World Bank, talked about institutionalising gender aspects in the process of planning transport for cities, whereas Mr Sandeep Venkataramu from Arcadis discussed the importance of urban design and placemaking to form an ecosystem of safe and inclusive spaces. Mr GT Prabhakar Reddy from Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation, on the other hand, discussed creating safe, reliable and comfortable public transport services, emphasising the importance of different incentives to encourage more footfall.

New perspectives were pitched in by representatives from different civil society organisations as part of the round table discussions. Mr Rajendra Joshi, Founder and Managing Trustee of Saath, emphasised that public transport serves as a lifeline for lower-income groups; however, they lack representation in decision-making and planning processes. Furthermore, he introduced the idea of promoting rickshaws being driven by women, creating alternative livelihoods and safer environments in cities. Dr Abhijit Lokre, on the other hand, stressed the need to disincentivise private car usage through measures such as parking charges, congestion pricing, and the enforcement of stronger policy frameworks and regulations to ensure effective implementation.

Addressing a wide range of issues and exchanging diverse perspectives, the workshop highlighted the pressing need to plan and design transport for all. The event emphasised the roles of CSOs in bridging the gaps between the city and its citizens and served as a significant platform to deliberate on institutionalising the planning process involving citizen participation at every level.

More importantly, the workshop contributed to the larger vision of the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for Ahmedabad 2047, which aims to develop an accessible, safe, affordable, and inclusive urban mobility framework for the city. Findings from the MobiliseHER project would contribute significantly to the CMP, informing the mobility proposals for the city in multiple ways. The insights and outcomes from the workshop will directly contribute to the preparation of CMP 2047, ensuring that Ahmedabad’s transport systems not only support economic growth but also enhance the quality of life for all its citizens.