Lisbon's Urban Mobility Revolution: A Sustainable Future Awaits

Lisbon has been establishing itself as a city with a progressive vision for urban mobility, driving sustainable initiatives and promoting innovative solutions for the future. However, according to the latest Urban Mobility Readiness Index developed by Oliver Wyman in collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley, the Portuguese capital ranks 41st among 70 global cities and second to last among the 19 European cities analyzed.

Sustainable Mobility

Sustainable mobility is a key pillar for building more efficient and eco-friendly cities. Cities investing in low-impact solutions reduce pollution, enhance the quality of life for residents, and contribute to meeting global climate goals.

Lisbon ranks 20th globally in the Sustainable Mobility sub-index of the Urban Mobility Readiness Index, below the European average but above the global average. This reflects the city's growing commitment to sustainable solutions, such as improving air quality and reducing its carbon footprint, benefiting from the carbon neutrality goals set for 2030.

The commitment to electric mobility has been remarkable, with incentives for the adoption of electric vehicles and investments in charging infrastructure. The Lisbon Metro, which has achieved carbon-neutral operations, exemplifies this commitment and the journey undertaken to meet established goals.

Regarding public transport, Lisbon ranks 34th globally, again below the European average but above the global average. Despite a dense network of public transport stations, the city still needs to invest in the quality of its infrastructure and improve system efficiency.

Technology and Innovation

Technology plays a fundamental role in the evolution of urban mobility, from the digitalization of transport systems to the adoption of smart solutions to optimize traffic flows and reduce carbon footprints. Leading cities in this domain are heavily investing in autonomous transport, AI-based traffic management, and mobility-sharing solutions connected to multimodal applications.

Lisbon's adoption of technology in its mobility ecosystem remains a weakness. The city ranks 44th globally in this sub-index of the report, falling short of both the European and global averages. The lack of universities and laboratories specifically focused on mobility means that, unlike other leading cities in mobility innovation, Lisbon lacks the same level of investment or applied research that could drive the development of advanced technologies in this sector. However, some EU-supported innovation programs, such as VoxPop and Smart Open Lisbon, have promoted the emergence of local startups focused on mobility.

Key Highlights

Despite the challenges, Lisbon excels in areas such as pedestrian infrastructure quality, density of public transport stations, and perception of safety in public transport, ranking among the top 4 cities in Europe. Additionally, it boasts good air quality and low levels of noise and light pollution, reinforcing its potential for a more sustainable future.

To improve its position in the ranking and become a global reference in urban mobility, Lisbon should focus on enhancing road infrastructure and the quality of roads through public investments and public-private partnerships. The city's cycling infrastructure is still lacking. Although the Lisbon plan for 2030 aims to double bike lanes to 200 kilometers, the city currently has a network below reference standards. Expanding bike lanes should be a priority to ensure greater safety and connectivity, encouraging more use of this mode of transport. Lastly, fostering innovation and technology adoption will be crucial to drive smart mobility, attracting startups and universities to develop advanced solutions in this area.

Lisbon is at a critical moment to define its future in urban mobility. While progress in sustainability and transport is notable, there is still a long way to go to consolidate its position among the best cities in the world in this domain. As evidenced by the Urban Mobility Readiness Index, the city faces challenges that must be addressed with a strategy focused on infrastructure improvement, innovation, and a continuous commitment to sustainability. If these measures are implemented, the Portuguese capital could become a model of reference in urban mobility for future generations.