Cities that align transport investment with land-use planning are better positioned to reduce congestion, improve housing affordability, and unlock long-term economic stability, according to a new white paper released by Egis, a global leader in architecture, consulting, construction engineering, operations, and mobility services.
 
The paper, titled “Urban Mobility and Transit-Oriented Development: Rethinking Housing to Drive Sustainable Urban Development in the Kingdom,” examines how integrated mobility systems and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) can serve as powerful levers for inclusive, climate-responsive, and economically resilient urban growth.
 
By 2050, nearly 68% of the world’s population is expected to live in cities, while total passenger travel demand could increase three to four times compared to 2000 levels. Without structural changes to how cities plan resilient mobility and housing together, congestion, infrastructure costs, and environmental pressures will continue to rise, the paper notes.
 
Dr. Muhammad Mustafa, Regional Director for Urban Transport and Development at Egis and author of the paper, said: “Urban mobility is a defining factor in how cities grow, how people access opportunity, and how economies remain competitive. Transit-Oriented Development provides a proven framework to align mobility, housing, and land use in a way that delivers measurable social, economic, and environmental benefits.”
 
The paper highlights evidence showing that well-designed TOD can deliver a 30–50% reduction in car trips, a 40–60% increase in public transport ridership, and a 15–20% reduction in household transport costs, while also driving uplifts in property value and improving overall urban efficiency.
 
Global examples examined include the Rosslyn - Ballston Corridor in the United States, Copenhagen’s long-standing Finger Plan, the Shibuya Station redevelopment in Tokyo, the Vancouver SkyTrain corridor, and Singapore’s large-scale integration of public housing with mass transit. Together, these cases demonstrate how coordinated planning can transform transit investments into engines of inclusive urban development.
 
The paper also addresses the role of emerging mobility technologies, including automated metros, autonomous electric buses, demand-responsive transit, and digital twins, in supporting integrated, multimodal urban systems, while emphasising that technology must be matched by strong spatial planning and people-first urban design. 
 
According to Egis, the findings are particularly relevant as cities across the Middle East continue to deliver ambitious transport and urban development programmes during unprecedented periods of pressure, creating an opportunity to embed TOD principles at scale and ensure that mobility investments translate into long-term social and economic value.
 
“High-capacity transit reduces household transport costs, compact development lowers emissions, and integrated mobility increases access to jobs and services,” Dr. Mustafa added. “The evidence is clear: when mobility and urban form are planned together, cities become more inclusive, resilient, and productive.”
 
The full white paper, “Urban Mobility and Transit-Oriented Development: Rethinking Housing to Drive Sustainable Urban Development in the Kingdom,” is available to download here: Urban Mobility and Transit-Oriented Development | Sustainable Cities in the GCC

About Egis     
Egis is an international player active in architecture, consulting, construction engineering and mobility services. We create and operate intelligent infrastructures and buildings that respond to the climate emergency and contribute to more balanced, sustainable and resilient territorial development.
 
Operating in 70 countries, Egis puts the expertise of its 22,000 employees at the service of its clients and develops cutting-edge innovations accessible to all projects. Through its wide range of activities, Egis is a key player in the collective organisation of society and the living environment of citizens all over the world.
 
With 3,700 employees across 8 countries in the Middle East, Egis has delivered over 800 complex development projects, stimulating economic growth and enhancing quality of life. Ranked among the top five firms in the Middle East by Engineering News Record (ENR), Egis is committed to sustainable development. The Group’s operations in the Middle East are built on strategic acquisitions and a deep understanding of local market conditions. Egis’ long history of providing comprehensive engineering, consulting, and project management services makes it a trusted partner for regional governments, investors, and developers.