The proposed project is intended to provide an in-depth analysis comparing and contrasting how urban transport impacts health outcomes in urban environments within the African context. The research will explore health-related impacts of transport in two African capitals, Accra and Windhoek. 

Accra reflects its heritage as a colonial-era city and Windhoek was originally shaped by its segregationist past. Both cities now continue to evolve, absorbing peri-urban areas into the suburban and urban framework that have exacerbated the dependency on motorized forms of transport. Poor mix of land uses and vehicle dominated access management on roadways in both cities have resulted in walking and cycling being rendered difficult and to be avoided if possible. Poor road network connectivity, traffic management in conjunction with poorly planned land use and sprawling urban form coupled with rapid urbanization has upheld the primacy of the automobile. Additionally, both cities are traversed by relatively high freight traffic flows connecting seaports to other regions of the countries and to neighboring African states. 

All of these issues have given rise to adverse impacts on personal safety and security as well as poor health outcomes due to increased exposure to pollution (air and noise), diminished opportunities for physical activity, and generalized stress. These negative outcomes have also disproportionately affected vulnerable groups in both cities including the elderly, disabled, youth, women, and low resource and marginalized populations.