#WhatsNext Mobility KE & UG
The 33rd edition of the series was extra special since it marked the launch of the #WhatsNext series in Kampala leading to a sequential double legged discussion of mobility across Kenya and Uganda.
Here is what we learned:
1. Pedestrian infrastructure plays second fiddle.
While it is quite evident that there is a huge infrastructure gap especially when it comes to the transportation sector, the big debate remains on the investment to gap ratio. Majority of the investments are asymmetrical with Motorized Transport (MT) infrastructure receiving the bulk with little attention to Non-Motorized Transport (NMT). This would come as no surprise, considering the dire state of roads in Nairobi, however it remains quite unclear whether the government has any grand plans and roll out plan for its pedestrians who account for more than 8 out of every 10 commutes (as the primary or secondary mode of travel) with half of those trips made completely on foot.
Is it the very ubiquity of walking, or simply that it lacks any sense of sophistication, or modernity, that many seem to yearn for? Is it perhaps because it has been, until comparatively recently, largely an unqualified phenomenon? Or is it simply because it is regarded as unimportant? — John Howe.
2. First Pilot Policy as a change catalyst.
Since transport development projects are heavily reliant on government as the main actors, what can citizens do to influence policy in their favour? While the strategy remains largely multi-lateral, active citizens (through associations) and NGOs can play an instrumental role in building pilot projects (say a 1km cycling/walking path) to not only demonstrate the feasibility but to draw more eye balls (social media) and urgency from the wider community. Instigators, should however be aware that out of the box pilots once done poorly can bring more delays to the desired goal. However, success sets higher expectation for larger projects in the cities.
“If a picture is worth 1,000 words, a well-executed pilot is worth 1,000 feasibility studies. Yet this approach is not without risk.”- ITDP
Here is an active citizen not waiting around for the government.
Amanda Ngabirano, a Ugandan cycling advocate, rides the talk, when it comes to promoting her vision of a more bicycle friendly country. She rides regularly in and around Makerere University where she teaches and in the streets of Kampala- something those who have been to Kampala can quickly attest as pretty daring considering the number of boda bodas’ on the road.
Her relentless advocacy for safe cycling infrastructure inspired the making of a short cycling film titled ‘Cycologic’ that has won numerous global awards and compounded to the launch of the first cycle lane in Kampala.
3. Uganda is in the race of producing electric vehicles.
Kiira Motors, a Ugandan automotive infrastructure, has spearheaded the automobile manufacturing sector in Africa by launching Africa’s first electric vehicle in 2011, a hybrid vehicle “Kiira EV Smack” in 2014, and a solar bus “Kayoola” in 2016. The Ugandan government committed $6.5 million in 2018 out of an expected total spend of $39.8 million over the next 4 years, with the goal of commercializing the Ugandan made car.
With Sub-Saharan Africa’s transport almost entirely fuel based with a need to transition to green energy, an increasing investment in power capacity by African countries and a fast growing middle class, the EVs’ provide an urgently needed automobile alternative.
Given this vast opportunity, the EV market remains globally competitive with multiple players looking to establish a footprint in the emerging markets. It will be quite interesting to see the commercialization strategy for the African automobile manufacturers.
Will it be an import substitution or a locally superior model strategy?
4. What’s Next?
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System: East African cities are looking to implement the BRT system to reduce the traffic congestion in major highways in the cities. This will be a long term project with an expected completion times of between 5 to 10 years or longer in Nairobi.
App based mass transit system: Expected launch of e-hailing shuttle/bus services that targets riders heading in the same direction. The service comes in at the intersection of car ride hailing apps and public transportation. First movers include Safiri Express and Little Cab.
Floating 3D Zebra Crossing: A cross walk that creates an optical illusion meant to change motorists’ behaviour presenting the crossing as a potential obstruction resulting to ‘slowing down’ of motorists. The first pilot in Africa was launched in Kampala — an innovation for the pedestrians. 💪
Conclusion
Over the next 15 years, Africa will be home to the world’s youngest and fastest growing population with about 300 million people having moved into the urban areas. This presents the the urban population explosion as a ticking bomb further revealing the fragility of African cities. Therefore more and more of such kind of conversations (at a higher level) are warranted in order to find durable solutions.
We would like to end this blog post by saying a big thank you to all the #WhatsNext Mobility panelists across the Nairobi and Kampala leg.
Further Information:
Cycologic: a film about changing the world one bicycle at a time.
Expanding Walkability in Two African Cities: What’s at Stake?
