Create a safe and pedestrian-friendly transport system and roads environment for pedestrians and cyclists’ Sustainable Urban Transport Master Plan (SUTMP).
Background
Namibia is a large country in Southern Africa that borders the South Atlantic Ocean, with a relatively small population. Windhoek’s population is rapidly growing at 4.3 % per annum, above the national growth rate of 2.6% (SUTMP). As part of its Sustainable Urban Transport Master Plan, the City is now investing in high occupancy buses and non-motorized transport (NMT) infrastructure in an effort to make economic opportunities more accessible to low income citizens, and reduce the peak hour congestion, accidents, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions associated with cars.
Challenges
Road safety is an issue of concern in Windhoek due to the conflict of road space between pedestrians and motorists that leave NMT users more vulnerable. There is no provision for cyclists and the pedestrian facilities provided are limited, poorly maintained, and with only 6% of the total road network having paved sidewalks, despite over 20% of all trips taking place on foot (NMT Report, 2018).
Successes
The City of Windhoek, together with the Ministry of Works and Transport and other stakeholders, began the development of a Sustainable Urban Transport Master Plan (SUTMP) for the capital. The goal of the master plan was to provide for ’efficient, affordable, equitable, safe and convenient public and NMT for residents of the city and its surroundings’.
The SUTMP takes an unusually nuanced approach to barriers to NMT, and pays attention to social, financial, infrastructure, institutional and administrative barriers to increase the use of walking and cycling. The Masterplan also includes an exceptionally comprehensive and detailed action plan and budget.
In addition, Windhoek and the Ministry have developed an NMT Strategy based on the SUTMP, which covers network development, quality standards, a communication/information strategy and accompanying pilot measures. One of the main goals of the SUTMP is to ensure the increase in the use of bicycles as a result if improved cycling network, improved safety for cyclists and higher bicycle ownership.
The NMT Strategy developed by the City of Windhoek has the following objectives:
- Create a safe and pedestrian-friendly transport system and roads environment for pedestrians and cyclists
- Improve the pedestrian networks and environments of Windhoek
- Identify and implement a cycle network for Windhoek
- Encourage more cycling in Windhoek.
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