The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) has grown since 1985 from a small band of cycling activists to a leading global organization in the fight to curb greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and transform cities to provide a better quality of life for all. ITDP promotes well-funded, well-managed, and electrified public transport systems supported by robust walking, cycling, and transit-oriented development policies and infrastructure. Working in over 100 cities across more than 40 nations, with offices in China, Brazil, India, Indonesia, East Africa, Mexico, and the United States, ITDP’s teams of architects, urban planners, transport experts, activists, data scientists, and policy specialists work directly with decision-makers and governments to implement on-the-ground change. Since 1985, ITDP has provided support for over 850 sustainable transport projects and policies in more than 120 cities worldwide.
Why It Matters: ITDP connects transportation innovation directly to climate mitigation, air quality, and equitable access—demonstrating that how people move through cities shapes everything from greenhouse gas emissions to economic opportunity. By combining technical expertise, direct advocacy, and policy guidance while working on the ground with decisionmakers, ITDP bridges the gap between knowing what sustainable transport looks like and actually building it in diverse urban contexts across five continents. The people-centered approach ensures that cities provide more equitable access to opportunities and services through safe, sustainable, and affordable mobility, making better streets the foundation for better cities and better lives.
