Overview

Urban mobility is central to sustainable urban development, shaping access to jobs, education, healthcare, and essential services. As cities expand, especially in developing countries, mobility challenges are becoming more complex and deeply intertwined with climate change, inequality, economic opportunity, and public health.

Mobility challenges such as congestion, pollution, infrastructure gaps, and unequal access to transport are no longer stand-alone issues – they reflect systemic urban issues that demand integrated, cross-domain solutions. With urban travel already accounting for 40% of passenger transport’s global CO₂ emissions and future demand expected to triple by 2050 in developing regions, there is an urgent need for cross-domain approaches that embed digital innovation within strong governance, policy reform, community engagement, and climate action.

Smart mobility solutions like data-driven traffic management, electrification, and digital payments can serve as powerful enablers to develop more inclusive, low-carbon, and resilient urban systems. However, unlocking their full potential requires evidence-based and context specific solutions alongside academic research, cross-sector collaboration, and adaptive policy frameworks. For many developing cities, these conditions and factors may not be always ready.

This 90-min webinar will explore how cities can harness digital innovation as part of a systems approach to sustainable urban mobility, with a particular focus on developing cities. It will facilitate cross-sector dialogue, providing a platform for local and city governments, urban experts, and development practitioners to share best practices, gain insights from different initiatives, and inspire innovative solutions.

Watch webinar HERE

Speakers

• Lynette Cheah, Professor and Chair of Sustainable Transport, School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia

Lynette Cheah is Chair Professor of Sustainable Transport at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. She leads the Sustainable Mobility research lab, which develops data-driven models and tools to reduce the environmental impacts of passenger and freight transport. Her expertise is in transport modelling and simulation, life-cycle assessments (LCA), and urban metabolism.

She is currently authoring UNEP’s Global Environment Outlook report and UN IPCC’s Special Report on Climate Change and Cities. She obtained her Ph.D. in Engineering Systems from MIT and master’s in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University.

• Ray Krishna, Head of Department, Ramboll Mobility Singapore

Ray Krishna is Head of Department for Ramboll Mobility in Singapore, with nearly 20 years of transport planning experience. Before joining Ramboll, she co-founded a homegrown consultancy, building a strong foundation in local mobility needs and approaches.

With deep knowledge of local context and regional sensitivities, she leverages Ramboll’s global expertise to apply tailored international best practices in Southeast Asia. A strong advocate of Singapore’s transport achievements, she shares successes globally to foster two-way knowledge exchange.

Having led landmark projects across diverse transport services, Ray proudly contributes to Singapore’s car-lite journey and champions sustainable, people-centric mobility.

• Alexandru Pelivan, Programme Manager, EU4Moldova: Focal Regions Programme, UNDP Moldova

Alexandru Pelivan is an experienced development professional with over two decades of expertise in democratic governance, public administration reform, and regional development. He currently manages the €23 million EU4Moldova: Focal Regions Programme, implemented by UNDP with EU funding, which promotes inclusive and sustainable local development in Cahul and Ungheni. The programme supports innovation in public service delivery, strengthens local governance, and enhances economic resilience in Moldova’s regions.

Alexandru has held leadership roles in several flagship donor-funded programmes, including USAID, UNDP, as well as the UK’s Good Governance Fund. His work has focused on strengthening institutional capacity at the local level, introducing digital governance tools, and promoting transparency and citizen engagement.

With a background in public administration and a strong track record of managing complex, multi-stakeholder programmes, Alexandru brings strategic vision and practical expertise to local development efforts. He is a skilled team leader, experienced in working with public institutions, civil society, and international partners. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and speaks Romanian, English, and Russian.

• Ina Olearciuc, Interim Director, Ungheni Intercommunity Development Association, Republic of Moldova

Ina Olearciuc is a development professional with extensive experience in local governance, inter-municipal cooperation, and urban development. She currently serves as Interim Director of the Ungheni Intercommunity Development Association, where she leads the implementation of joint projects aimed at improving public services across member communities.

Previously, Ina worked at Ungheni City Hall as a specialist in investment attraction and project management, contributing to strategic planning and the rollout of sustainable urban initiatives. She has also served as a consultant for the Resource Center for Local and Regional Sustainable Development, supporting European integration efforts and fostering cross-border partnerships. Ina holds a Master's degree in International Relations and is passionate about collaborative, community-driven development.

READ THE RECAP

This inaugural webinar is a joint initiative under the recently signed MoU between Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities and the UNDP Singapore Global Centre. This series aims to leverage the expertise and networks of both institutions to create sustainable cities and deploy innovative urban solutions.