Helping cities move more safely, inclusively, and sustainably

Cities are constantly evolving and adapting to an ever-changing world. As cities grow and develop, the need for innovative, responsive, and resilient mobility solutions has never been more essential and the opportunities have never been greater.

The $9 million Sustainable Cities Challenge brings together cities and innovators from around the world to enable safe, inclusive and sustainable mobility solutions fit for the future. 

There are two stages to the Challenge: 

• First, a call to city officials to enter on behalf of their city, identifying the specific mobility challenges they face.

• Second, a call to innovators to come forward with solutions to these challenges. 

Toyota Mobility Foundation engaged 89up as its global communications partner for the whole of the four-year Challenge. 

We secured over 475 pieces of coverage in countries including the US, UK, Italy, India, France, Germany, Thailand, Singapore, Mexico and Indonesia.

Over 150 cities from 46 countries around the world entered the first stage of the Challenge. A total of 10 cities were shortlisted, with three eventually chosen to host their own City Challenges. The chosen cities were Detroit, US; Venice, Italy; and Varanasi, India. 

89up launched a call for innovators for each of the three City Challenges and will continue to manage all communications until the winners are announced in 2025.