Rapidly growing cities in developing countries face challenges with urban development and transportation. When cities grow quickly, they often rely too much on cars, leading to inefficient and unsustainable urban systems. A study looked at five cities in Eastern Europe and the Middle East to understand why this happens. They found that certain governance and policy factors contribute to car-dependent urban mobility systems. To avoid this, cities need to act fast and implement policies that promote sustainable and inclusive urban mobility. This will help cities become more liveable and support global goals like the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.