Nino Bagashvili, Head of the Tbilisi Transport and Urban Development Agency, says that traffic congestion in the capital is primarily caused by the overwhelming number of private vehicles, not by ongoing construction projects.
“Our transport policy is focused on reducing car dependency and creating safer, more convenient alternatives for movement,” Bagashvili told bm.ge. “We are building sidewalks, expanding bike lane networks, and giving more space to pedestrians and cyclists. The city belongs to everyone, not just cars.”
According to Bagashvili, City Hall is implementing these changes in line with Tbilisi’s general development plan, which prioritizes compact urban growth and discourages urban sprawl. She emphasized that improving public transport and encouraging centralization are key to creating a more efficient and sustainable city.
When asked whether increased construction and urban densification in central Tbilisi would worsen traffic congestion, Bagashvili disagreed.
“Traffic congestion is caused by too many cars, not by new construction,” she said. “In fact, densifying central areas, where public transport services are already developed and set to improve further, helps reduce the need for private cars and contributes to solving the traffic problem.”
The remarks come amid an ongoing debate over traffic, infrastructure, and the pace of construction in Tbilisi, as the city balances modernization with livability.
