For Patience Ataliba, who lives in the Ugandan capital of Kampala, commuting was once a harrowing affair. The 23-year-old student and climate activist often had to dodge cars, motorcycles and three-wheeled taxis as she walked through the streets of Kampala’s bustling business district.
However, the creation of a 3-kilometre, pedestrian-friendly corridor down two main thoroughfares—Namirembe Road and Luwum Street—has transformed Ataliba's daily commute. The route includes sidewalks and other infrastructure that separate people from vehicles.
“Now, with clear paths and less vehicle interference, the experience is much more pleasant, safer and convenient,” says Ataliba.
The route is one of several so-called non-motorized transit corridors that have cropped up in cities across Africa in recent years. The thoroughfares are revolutionizing urban mobility, transforming traffic-clogged streets into vibrant pedestrian malls and helping to make Africa’s famously deadly roads less hazardous.
On 6 November at the World Urban Forum, that effort will get a boost with the launch of the Pan-African Action Plan for Active Mobility, jointly led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN-Habitat and the World Health Organization (WHO). Through a series of webinars, workshops, roundtables, and direct technical assistance to selected countries, the initiative aims to guide government officials, urban planners and others on how to prioritize active mobility investment. The framework draws on innovations from diverse African cities, including Kampala and Kisumu in Kenya.
The push is designed to make roads safer for some of the 1 billion Africans who walk or cycle daily, while also helping to counter climate change.
“The needs of city dwellers who walk or cycle are often overlooked in car-oriented planning processes,” says Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, Director of the Industry and Economy Division at UNEP. “It’s crucial that we change this paradigm by promoting inclusive, sustainable mobility solutions that benefit all.”
Non-motorized transit corridors can help cities reduce their carbon footprint. Urban areas produce about 70 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions, with much of them coming from transport. Experts estimate protected bicycle lanes are 10 times more cost-effective at reducing greenhouse gas emissions than metro systems. Health benefits are also significant: active commuting lowers cardiovascular disease risk by 10 per cent and diabetes risk by 30 per cent, finds the World Health Organization.
Since 2012, Kampala has embarked on an ambitious journey to transform urban mobility. The most prominent symbol of Kampala's changing streetscape is the Namirembe Road and Luwum Street Non-Motorized Transport Corridor. Cutting through some of the city's busiest areas, it features segregated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, safe crossings, landscaping, and street lighting.
“I now save money by walking or cycling half my trips,” says 41-year-old project officer Sensasi Boney. “I can access lower-priced wholesale shops and use the free bicycle racks without risking theft.”
Boney's experience aligns with broader economic research on active mobility. The economic benefits of cycling outweigh the costs, according to data from Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, a research organization. Moreover, cycle lanes can stimulate local economies, as cyclists frequent shops along their routes more often than motorists.
The bustling business district of Kisumualso recently received a pedestrian-friendly overhaul. One part, known as the Kisumu Triangle, saw the construction of more than 3 km of walkways on key streets, featuring tabletop crossings for safe passage, including for wheelchair users, and barriers to prevent vehicles from encroaching on pedestrian zones.
“Previously, road safety was a major concern in the streets within the Kisumu Central Business District,” says 28-year-old entrepreneur Frank Auma, whose 8 kilometres commute includes multiple forms of transit. “Now, with the upgrade to paved areas around the city, many residents prefer walking, cycling, and skating. Social interaction along the city streets has also improved immensely.”
However, safety remains a concern in much of Africa. A study from the WHO reveals the continent is the least safe place globally for walking and cycling, with a road fatality rate of 19 per 100,000 population. At the same time, the proliferation of petrol-burning vehicles is worsening air pollution, leading to more respiratory diseases and other health issues, says the WHO.
The transformations in Kampala and Kisumu are part of a continent-wide movement to prioritize active mobility as a cornerstone of sustainable urban development.
Ambitious plans to expand inclusive walking and cycling infrastructure are playing out in Cairo, Egypt, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Windhoek, Namibia Cape Town, South Africa and Kigali, Rwanda, among other African cities. These initiatives demonstrate a growing recognition across Africa of the importance of active mobility in creating sustainable cities, say observers.
Despite the progress, significant challenges remain. In many cities, a lack of safe non-motorized transit infrastructure continues to deter potential walkers and cyclists. While far cheaper than highways, active mobility infrastructure still requires substantial investment. The political will to prioritize pedestrians and cyclists over cars needs to be improved, say observers.
Kenyan urban planner Judith Bala says given all the benefits, it’s time for governments to step up support for active mobility. “Mainstreaming of active mobility is a long overdue initiative in the development of streets and general urban design,” she says.
For many African cities struggling with congestion, air pollution and rising greenhouse gas emissions, non-motorized transit could be a game changer, says UNEP’s Aggarwal-Khan. “By prioritizing active mobility now, African cities can become global leaders in sustainable development and transportation.”
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Pan-African Action Plan for Active Mobility
The Pan-African Action Plan for Active Mobility, led by UNEP and co-led by the UN-Habitat and the World Health Organization, is set to launch on November 6th, 2024, at the World Urban Forum. It aims to prioritize and promote active mobility across Africa by defining common priorities, raising awareness, encouraging investments, fostering regional knowledge sharing, and establishing performance indicators for walking and cycling initiatives.
The Sectoral Solution to the climate crisis
UNEP is at the forefront of supporting the Paris Agreement goal of keeping global temperature rise well below 2°C, and aiming for 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. To do this, UNEP has developed the Sectoral Solution, a roadmap to reducing emissions across sectors in line with the Paris Agreement commitments and in pursuit of climate stability. The sectors identified are: energy systems, industry, AFOLU (Agriculture, Forests and Other Land Use), transport, and buildings.
