Green Cities: Integrated Sustainable Transport for Batumi and Ajara

Piloting sustainable urban transport in Georgia’s major touristic destination - the city of Batumi.

Photo: David Khizanishvili/UNDP

Summary

More than 50 percent of Georgians live in cities according to the General 2014 Census. High population density and the increased use of Carbone-intensive cars make sustainable urban development a crucial issue for the country.

Together with the Global Environment Facility, UNDP assists the Government of Georgia to explore green solutions in urban development, more specifically, in the transport sector where greenhouse gas emissions are raising on national and municipal levels.

Activities

The present initiative is piloting sustainable urban transport in Georgia’s major touristic destination - the city of Batumi, with the aim to expand this experience to the other municipalities of the Ajara Autonomous Republic. 

We work hand in hand with the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia to support the Government of Ajara and Batumi Municipality in the following areas:

  • Improved planning and management for sustainable urban transport.
  • Investment in infrastructure for sustainable urban transport and green urban development.
  • Improved touristic image of the Ajara Autonomous Republic and City of Batumi through the implementation of the Green City vision.
  • Fulfilment of national obligations under the global climate change action.

Together with our national and international partners, UNDP aims to achieve the following specific results:

  • The Integrated Sustainable Urban Transport Plans adopted in Batumi and the Ajara Autonomous Republic.
  • Feasibility studies and functional plans developed to reduce carbon intensity of urban transport.
  • Sustainable urban transport measures implemented along a selected corridor in the City of Batumi.
  • Feasibility studies and functional plans developed in other municipalities of the Ajara Autonomous Republic.

Results so far

  • First ever household urban mobility survey carried out in Batumi, encompassing 1,550 families in 78 transport zones.
  • Passenger counts implemented on 45 public transit routes and traffic counts on 12 major locations.
  • First ever four-step transport model for the city of Batumi developed.
  • A transport modelling software for macro and micro modelling provided to the Batumi City Hall along with the staff training.

Contact information

Address

52 Vakhtang Gorgasali Street
Batumi, Georgia

Contact persons

Lasha Nakashidze
Project Manager
lasha.nakashidze@undp.org

Nino Antadze
UNDP Environment and Energy Team Leader
nino.antadze@undp.org