Does your city or region deserve more recognition for new transport, street design, or policy improvements that increase mobility and improve the quality of life for its residents? The Sustainable Transport Award (STA) is a unique, global recognition conferred by a committee of international experts in sustainable transport and development that supports the often-unrecognized progress happening on the ground.

ITDP and the STA Committee invite you to nominate your city for the 2026 Award. Nominations close May 1, 2025. Applications can be accessed at staward.org. Anyone with city contacts and project details can submit a nomination, which can take a few minutes. More details will be requested if your city is selected for the second round. 

Since 2005, the Sustainable Transport Award has recognized courageous leadership and vision in sustainable transportation and urban livability. These strategies should improve mobility for all residents, reduce transportation-related greenhouse and air pollution emissions, and enhance safety and access for cyclists and pedestrians. Nominations are welcome from interested parties but typically include government, civil society organizations, and academic institutions. Nominations must include verifiable project data and city contact information.

The committee has recognized cities of all sizes worldwide for best practices in sustainable transport. A complete list of winning cities with details on their win is available here. Past winners include: 

• Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
• Santiago, Chile
• Yichang, China
• Mexico City, México
• San Francisco, United States
• Ahmedabad, India
• Bogotá, Colombia
• Paris, France
• Tianjin, China
• Dakar, Senegal

The 2025 Sustainable Transport Award (STA) was awarded to Dakar, Senegal, for the city’s interventions to promote sustainable mobility by expanding an all-electric BRT system and transit-oriented development policies emphasizing cycling, walking, and public space. Dakar is joined by one STA honorable mention — the City of Mexico City, Mexico — which is recognized for its efforts to transition its bus fleet to cleaner, more efficient vehicles. To continue the celebration and share the stories of these winning cities, ITDP and the STA Team will host the Sustainable Transport Award Series 2025, a webinar series throughout the year that dives deeper into the elements and policies that earned these cities the STA recognition. Watch the virtual ceremony below.