Partnership for Research on Informal and Shared Mobility (PRISM)
PRISM is VREF’s International Research Program (IRP) on Informal and Shared Mobility, led by the Center for Sustainable Urban Development (CSUD) at Columbia University’s Climate School.
As the lead research partner within VREF’s Informal and Share Mobility in Low- and Mid-Income Countries (ISM) program, PRISM is structured as a global research consortium focused on informal and shared mobility systems — including motorcycle taxis, minibuses, rickshaws, and other popular transport modes — across cities in the Global South. Its work is guided by three core principles: Equity, Ecosystems, and Engagement (“the 3 Es”), emphasizing inclusive, context-sensitive, and practice-based knowledge creation.
Living Labs
PRISM has established eight living labs in cities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America:
- Accra & Kumasi (Ghana)
- Bangkok (Thailand)
- Beijing (China)
- Bogotá (Colombia)
- Cape Town (South Africa)
- Mumbai (India)
- Metro San José (Costa Rica)
These living labs function as collaborative research spaces where researchers work directly with operators, workers, passengers, and local authorities. Through sustained and comparative engagement, the labs generate deep insights into the systems, challenges, and opportunities that shape informal and shared mobility. Their work focuses on improving access, service quality, working conditions, emissions reductions, and public health.
Research, Capacity Building, and Policy Engagement
PRISM’s work is organized around three core pillars:
- Knowledge Building – Generating robust, comparative research through the living labs to strengthen the global evidence base on informal and shared mobility.
- Communities of Learning – Creating global and regional platforms for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to share experiences, tools, and insights.
- Next-Generation Support – Training and mentoring emerging scholars in LMICs to build long-term research capacity in the field.
VREF’s Role
VREF provides long-term funding, strategic guidance, and an international platform for collaboration. Through the ISM program, VREF connects leading research centers, NGOs, and city partners, enabling shared learning and supporting the development of more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient mobility systems worldwide.
The PRISM consortium was launched in October 2023 with a multi-year grant.