Urban planners from across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region will assemble in Dubai, UAE, next week to address key public transport system issues and examine potential sustainability plans to enhance the competitiveness of the regional transport sector.

Starting on Sunday, the three-day regional training workshop on “Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning” is jointly organised by the German International Cooperation (GIZ), the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB) and the International Road Transport Union (IRU).

Taking place at the Hyatt Regency Dubai, the event is being hosted by the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), whose president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, will deliver the opening remarks on Sunday morning.

“Mobility, which is a key part of the ATCUAE’s business, is a basic necessity for the social and economic development of people, cities and entire countries,” said Ben  Sulayem.

“The IRU sees that most cities in the Mena countries have great potential to further develop transport systems for the growing population of the region. The regional training workshop aims at sharing knowledge on sustainable urban mobility planning, public and private sector stakeholder involvement and the importance of participatory inclusion during the process.”

Abdul Aziz Malik, chairman of the Higher Commission of the Mena Distinguished Transport Centre in the RTA, said that the centre seeks to take part in all activities and events related to public transport, infrastructure, and urban planning, especially given the great achievements made by the commission in this field.

These initiatives played a key and pivotal role in elevating the standing of the UAE in general, and Dubai in particular, among the world’s modern cities and countries.

Attending the workshop will be decision-makers and planners of municipal transport systems in cities with urban mobility planning experiences, from countries including Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia, Turkey, and the UAE, as well as IRU partner organisations.

UAE delegates will include officials from the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Committee Vision 2030, the Ministry of Planning, the Ministry of Interior, the Federal Transport Authority of Land and Maritime Services, the municipalities from each of the emirates, and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

An international team of experts will use the workshop to deliver training on how a city can be set on a sustainable course regarding its land-use and transport system through the development of an Urban Mobility Plan.

This lays out a vision for the city, prioritises transport system improvements, and clarifies the respective responsibilities of private and public sector stakeholders in implementing these initiatives, and identifies a robust financing plan.

Training will focus on financial resources at local levels, the alignment of local activities and societal goals and challenges in mobility planning. On the final day, the RTA will host a visit for delegates to one of the Dubai Metro stations. – TradeArabia News Service