“Socially and environmentally sustainable urban transport systems facilitating the international gateway capital” Urban Development Vision for Greater Maputo.
Background
The capital of Mozambique, Maputo, has a population of approximately 1.2 million people (2009) and is the political and industrial center of the country. According to the United Nation’s (UN) data, the urban population in Mozambique is projected to reach at 50% of the total population by 2050.
In 2012, the government of Mozambique adopted ProMaputo, a development programme that also serves as an urban plan, land use and infrastructure development policy for its capital, Maputo, and neighboring Matola. In 2014 Mozambique formulated a Project for the Comprehensive Urban Transport Master Plan for the Greater Maputo, which addresses the lack of policy and plans for a public transport network and road improvements, and includes a pre-feasibility study for priority projects identified in the master plan. With respect to the existing travel mode, trips made by either walking or bicycle account for 45.9% (JICA 2014).
Challenges
Although roads are extensively stretched in Maputo, they are not maintained and left in poor conditions. Issues involving traffic safety in central business district (CBD) include the lack of safety assurance for pedestrians due to the obstruction of sidewalks by cars and trucks, as well as lack of road facilities that protect the pedestrians (e.g., guardrails).
Successes
In 2015 Mozambikes (a Mozambican for-profit social venture company that customizes and develop bicycles for the local market) formed a partnership with US-based Alta Planning and Design to prepare a Maputo Bicycling Safety and Mobility Study. This study included a phase 1 pre-feasibility study for a bicycle lane network in Maputo, and the potential for incorporating bicycle facilities within the planned BRT corridor.
The transport development vision is as follows: Greater Maputo with “Socially and Environmentally Sustainable Urban Transport Systems facilitating the International Gateway Capital.” Among the strategies that will help achieve this vision is the need for better use of road space and improve vehicle/pedestrian environment.
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