SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION: CHALLENGES AND APPLICABILITY IN MEGACITIES TO ATTAIN SDGS – CASE STUDY OF CAIRO, EGYPT

Transport contributes to global energy use and carbon emissions, thus, reflects negatively on climate change. Sustainable urban transport (SUT) plays a vital role in achieving climate neutrality. This study investigates key challenges of megacities and assesses the implementation of SUT modes in City of Cairo – a megacity by addressing legislative, financial, social and cultural barriers. The study evaluates various transport modes and compares available alternatives, yet examines the environmental, economic and social impacts resulting from adopting SUT alternatives and attaining the sustainable development goals. The methodology is based on theoretical and analytical approaches along with surveying the definitions, history and types of transportation, and SUT measures and indicators. Results indicate that the use of electric buses, monorail, and high-speed trains mitigates a large share of GHG emissions in the city of Cairo. Electric buses reduce energy use by 85% compared to diesel buses, beside the 30%-45% reduction in fossil fuel, and 20%–35% mitigation of CO2 emissions. Results show that SUT is significant in creating livable cities and attaining the SDGs, mainly goals 3, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13.