astara transforms smart cities of the future through mobility

Madrid, November 8, 2023. astara, one of the leading global mobility companies, unveils today for the first time some of its projects in cities like Zaragoza, which respond to the latest global mobility trends and are transforming smart cities on World Urbanism Day.

Among the projects is the analysis of movements in Zaragoza's public transportation network and consultancy on mobility for the cutting-edge NEOM project in Saudi Arabia. These collaborations highlight the importance of mobility trends reflected in astara Intelligence's latest report—the mobility consulting division for astara's public and private sector—such as the rising value of data or the pursuit of a carbon-neutral footprint.

According to Sebastian Canadell, Chief of astara Intelligence: "We are improving the way people move around the globe, with projects on three continents. Innovation and data intelligence are tools that allow us to bring mobility to every user without exception, based on their needs, and in a sustainable and efficient manner. That's why we’ve driven these projects that make cities smarter, connected, and more environmentally-friendly."

Transforming Mobility

astara works on projects that enhance city mobility. One of them is the analysis of movements in Zaragoza's public transportation network, which began in 2022, using data intelligence on user origin and destination, demand type, and actual usage, providing a better understanding of when and how additional capacity is needed.

astara also participates in advising the NEOM project in Saudi Arabia. The company provides top-level detailed information on the automotive market, user profiles, supply, fleet deployment, and expert knowledge in electric charging networks and technological roadmaps. astara Intelligence's service includes analysis and recommendations for the hiring and operation of all mobility aspects both in Sindalah, the island destination of NEOM, and in defining the user experience throughout the NEOM territory.

Challenges of Sustainable Cities in the Future

Cities are constantly evolving and growing. According to United Nations data, by 2050, the world's population is expected to increase to 9.8 billion, with 6.7 billion living in urban areas. Today, major world cities are one of the main sources of planet pollution, but they have the potential and obligation to lead the transition to a sustainable future.

In this sense, mobility will play a crucial role in urban transformation. An example of this is the proliferation of low-emission zones (LEZ) in Spain, which will have a significant impact on society. 41% of Spaniards believe that their professional activity will be affected by circulation restrictions imposed by the new LEZ regulations, and 33% believe they will have to change their travel habits, according to a recent study by the Alphabet Mobility Forum.

astara's projects rethink how we move in public spaces to alleviate pressure on them.

The Value of Mobility Data

Society demands cities with proper air quality and a more humane environment, and within this context, each person has different mobility needs. astara has been preparing for years to offer its sector knowledge and data intelligence in solving specific mobility problems. User data, analyzed with a unique ID that respects each person's anonymity, is essential to improving efficiency and sustainability in cities.

According to Sebastian Canadell, "If information is power and data is gold, mobility data is going to change the world. At astara, we analyze multi-layered and aggregated data to provide solutions that help improve urban environments. We advocate for open mobility, where the user is at the center of the model, and for pioneering projects in sustainability and technology."

This information can also be used by the automotive industry to facilitate strategic decision-making. astara, for its part, also advocates for internal transformation and announced in October its commitment to achieving a carbon-neutral footprint in all its operations by 2027.