Our Cities Ourselves opens for the first time in Asia in Ahmedabad, India on September 20, 2011. The city of Ahmedabad was chosen to host the program because of its leadership in sustainable transport innovation and potential for further transformation.

Cities produce more than 70 percent of the world’s carbon emissions, and transport is one of the largest contributors. Therefore, getting urban transport right is crucial to the health of our cities and our planet.

In the last few decades, private motor vehicles have played a decisive role in the development of our cities. Planning norms, streets, and architectural styles have all evolved around the needs of private vehicles. Yet increasing vehicle use is resulting in worsening air quality, congested streets, increased time and money spent on commuting, rising numbers of traffic accidents, and deteriorating quality of life.

Our Cities Ourselves (OCO), a global collaborative programme initiated by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, attempts to address these issues and promote a vision for our cities that is more livable, equitable, and sustainable. By highlighting international best practices and successful case studies, OCO seeks to facilitate an exchange of ideas on present urban conditions, key challenges, and possible solutions to realize our vision for better cities.

Central to the OCO programme is an international travelling exhibition that builds on eight Principles for Transportation in Urban Life that promote people friendly, vibrant, and environmentally responsible cities. The exhibition helps us imagine what ten of the world’s cities, including Ahmedabad, could look like in 2030, when 60 percent of the global population—five billion people—will live in urban areas. Cities in developing countries, including several featured in this exhibition, will account for the majority of this urbanisation trend. By 2030, India will have 68 cities with a population of more than 1 million, and these urban areas will provide critical opportunities for positive change.

The aim is to think about what sort of cities we want to live in, the kind of streets we want to walk along, and the sort of future we want for our children and ourselves. Looking ahead, how will each of us help create our cities for ourselves?

Download exhibition information

The OCO International exhibition:
Venue: Kanoria Centre for Arts
Address: Kasturbhai Lalbhai Campus, CEPT,
Opposite Gujarat University Building,
Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380 009
Gujarat, India Map

The OCO Ahmedabad exhibition:
Venue: Amdavad ni Gufa
Address: Amdavadni Gufa
Kasturbhai Lalbhai Campus, University Road
Navrangpura, Ahmedabad -380009
Gujarat, India Map

For additional information please contact Kumar Manish, Communications Officer, via email at kumar.manish@itdp.org or by phone at +91 990991 9301 or +91 79 40069227. For public programs and seminars please click here.