Bengaluru Science & Technology cluster (BeST)

Unlocking Bengaluru's Future: A Vision for Megaregional Mobility Bengaluru, often hailed as India's "Silicon Valley," is at a crossroads. Rapid urbanization and a booming population, growing at the fastest rate among major Indian cities at 2.94% year-over-year, have brought with them significant challenges: severe traffic congestion, strained infrastructure, and environmental degradation. The city's reliance on water pumped from 70 km away and its distinction of having the highest number of private cars in India further highlight the urgency of the situation. But what if Bengaluru's future wasn't just about managing growth within its current boundaries, but about strategically expanding its reach? This is the core idea behind megaregional mobility – a concept explored in a recent white paper by the institutions in the Bengaluru Science and Technology (BeST) Cluster. What is a Megaregion and Why Bengaluru Needs One? A megaregion is a network of intercon...

Health on the Move: How Urban Mobility Shapes Our Well-being Our daily commutes and the way we navigate our cities do far more than just get us from one place to another. Urban mobility systems have a profound, often overlooked, impact on our public health. In a rapidly urbanizing world, understanding this critical intersection is key to building healthier, more livable cities. The Unseen Costs of Unsustainable Mobility When urban mobility prioritizes private vehicles and extensive road networks, the consequences for public health can be severe: • Air Pollution: Idling cars and heavy traffic lead to increased emissions of harmful pollutants,contributing to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and even premature deaths. These airborne toxins disproportionately affect vulnerable populations living near busy roads. • Physical Inactivity: A car-dependent urban design discourages walking and cycling, leading to more sedentary lifestyles. This, in turn, fuels the rise of no...