A Built Environment Framework for Sustainable Urban Transport in Developing Countries: Lessons From Copenhagen

Authors

• Nassamat Mahdy Mohamed, Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Giza, EgyptFollow
• Mohamed Anwer Zayed, Professor at the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Giza, EgyptFollow
• Ingy Mohamed El Barmelgy, Professor at the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Giza, EgyptFollow

Abstract

Developing countries are suffering from several urban transport challenges. In addition, global strategies of sustainable urban transport (SUT) lack integration with the seven dimensions of the built environment (7Ds). Therefore, there is a gap between the global strategies and their practical application, especially in the developing countries. To address this gap, this study aims to propose built environment framework for SUT in developing countries. This is addressed by analyzing a selection of global urban transport strategies and extracting consolidated applicable principles, then analyzing Copenhagen as a leading case study in SUT. Based on the research foundation and literature review, the methodology is structured into two main phases. In phase 1, qualitative content analysis was conducted on eight leading global urban transport strategies to extract consolidated principles classified into the 7Ds. In phase 2, an evaluation matrix was developed to assess the impacts of 61 Copenhagen interventions, classified into different layers and spatial scales, across the 7Ds. The findings reveal five principles ``comprehensiveness, integration, adaptability, continuity, and connectivity'' that characterize how Copenhagen's interventions are designed and combined, as conceptual associations. To address contextual disparities between Copenhagen and developing countries, the framework introduces contextual adaptability. It classifies the interventions by adaptability level and implementation timeline. The framework complements established approaches such transit-oriented development (TOD), sustainable urban mobility plans (SUMP) and Avoid-Shift-Improve approach. It offers urban planners and decision makers in developing countries a practical tool for strategic planning that takes local financial, institutional, and technical constraints into account.

Keywords

Built environment, Sustainable urban transport, Travel behavior, Developing countries, Global strategies, Non-motorized transport, Copenhagen

Recommended Citation

Mohamed, Nassamat Mahdy; Zayed, Mohamed Anwer; and Barmelgy, Ingy Mohamed El (2026) "A Built Environment Framework for Sustainable Urban Transport in Developing Countries: Lessons From Copenhagen," HBRC Journal: Vol. 22: Iss. 1, Article 66.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.65800/2090-9934.1065
Available at: https://journal.hbrc.edu.eg/journal/vol22/iss1/66