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As cities evolve to meet the demands of technology, sustainability, and human connection, their design directly shapes the future of fleet management and mobility. In this episode of The Fleet, Dr. Shauna Brail explores how thoughtful planning, public-private partnerships, and people-centered infrastructure can make cities more livable and efficient. From reimagining streets to embracing hybrid work and smarter transit, her insights highlight the deep link between urban transformation and fleet technology.
Cities remain central to innovation and mobility. Urban areas continue to drive economic growth, creativity, and sustainable progress despite predictions of decline.
Infrastructure must serve people, not just vehicles. Reclaiming streets and creating engaging public spaces supports safer, more accessible, and more connected communities.
Hybrid work and “third spaces” are reshaping movement. As flexible work models expand, fleets and transport systems must adapt to new commuting patterns and localized travel needs.
Collaboration powers transformation. Long-term partnerships between public and private sectors are key to financing and executing the next generation of smart, human-centric cities.
Cities remain central to innovation and mobility. Urban areas continue to drive economic growth, creativity, and sustainable progress despite predictions of decline.
Infrastructure must serve people, not just vehicles. Reclaiming streets and creating engaging public spaces supports safer, more accessible, and more connected communities.
Hybrid work and “third spaces” are reshaping movement. As flexible work models expand, fleets and transport systems must adapt to new commuting patterns and localized travel needs.
Collaboration powers transformation. Long-term partnerships between public and private sectors are key to financing and executing the next generation of smart, human-centric cities.
The way we move through our cities is changing, and so are the cities themselves. For fleets, this means how we move people and goods must evolve too.
That’s why The Fleet podcast sat down with Dr. Shauna Brail, Professor and Director at the Institute for Management & Innovation at the University of Toronto, to talk about urban mobility is evolving to accommodate a new era of transportation, fleet technology, and flexible work. From electric fleets to walkable communities, the future of mobility and our cities of the future are inseparable.
Here are some of Shauna’s key insights on the future of cities and mobility.
Over half the world’s population now lives in cities, making them the nerve centers of innovation, economic growth, and human connection. Cities are where ideas are tested and scaled.
Shauna calls cities “spaces of ideas.” They bring together entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers who solve complex challenges like transportation equity, climate action, and more. And while cities are responsible for a large share of global emissions, their density and diversity also make them the best laboratories for sustainable solutions.
Shauna believes that while cities are where the biggest problems exist, they’re also where we can solve them most effectively.
Modern cities inherited much of their structure from the industrial era. Think rail yards, ports, and six-lane expressways cutting through downtown neighborhoods. Those same designs that once drove growth are now barriers to livability and equity.
Today, a new mindset is emerging: one that prioritizes people, not just vehicles. Cities from Toronto to San Francisco are reclaiming polluted waterfronts and converting underused highways into parks and pedestrian corridors.
“Streets take up about 30 per cent of a city’s land area,” Shauna notes. “We need them and people rely on them, so creating and animating street spaces and making sure that they're interesting is really important.”
Designing streets with people in mind (cyclists, e-scooters, and public transit) creates benefits such as cleaner air, reduce traffic, and livelier street life.
Few events reshaped our cities as dramatically as the COVID-19 pandemic. It challenged the traditional relationship between work and place. But as Shauna explains, flexibility has always existed, it’s just more visible now.
She sees the “hybrid city” as a natural evolution. It’s a mix of home, office, and “third spaces” such as cafés, parks, and coworking hubs. In fact, some cities are building open-air office stations in parks or subway pods for private work sessions. These spaces meet our human need for connection while reducing long commutes and supporting local businesses.
The takeaway for fleet and mobility leaders? Transportation systems will increasingly serve many purposes beyond commuting. It will connect people to amenities, shared workspaces, and community hubs.
The most successful cities today aren’t necessarily the richest, they’re the most intentional. They design for the human experience: safety, beauty, and a sense of belonging. Pocket parks, vibrant sidewalks, and community-driven placemaking all make cities more resilient.
For those in fleet and mobility management, this shift toward human-centric design matters. As streets evolve to support EV infrastructure, micromobility lanes, and congestion pricing, the way we plan and deploy fleets will evolve too. Smart infrastructure will depend on real-time data, shared investments, and community trust.
When asked what excites her most about the future of cities, Shauna doesn’t hesitate. “Great cities always have great food scenes and they’re being transformed by delivery tech, sustainability efforts, and cultural creativity,” she says.
From Tokyo noodle bars to local food entrepreneurs, she sees dining as a microcosm of what makes urban life so dynamic: innovation born from connection. “Cities are where ideas come together to create great things,” she says
Listen to the full episode of The Fleet with Dr. Shauna Brail to hear how thoughtful design, collaboration, and community can turn today’s urban challenges into tomorrow’s mobility opportunities.