VREF invites you to join a mini-series of three Research Forums in September – November 2024 which celebrate 5 years of research results on mobility & access in SSA through the MAC program. 
The purpose of this mini-series is to highlight new knowledge production and results from research projects which have been carried out by scholars in the MAC community and which have strong relevance for understanding core dimensions of transport, mobility and access in African cities. What are some of the overriding thematic issues that have been explored in the program so far – and with what conceptual and empirical results? 

Research Forum #3: Transport planning and governance for sustainable development in SSA cities

Background

Issues related to inclusive transport planning and governance have been a central focus of many research projects within VREF’s program “Mobility & Access in African Cities” (MAC) in the past five years. Areas that have been studied range from “new tools” for more inclusive transport planning and user information to governance processes that include stakeholders’ engagement in policy choices and outcomes. While it is widely recognized that multiple stakeholders often play key roles in planning and governance processes, major challenges remain when it comes to coordinating and managing their divergent and conflicting interests. More knowledge is also needed regarding experiences and “lessons learned” from various concrete approaches to achieving greater inclusivity in transport projects and policies.

This Research Forum will encompass a range of research results, including concrete experiences of approaches and processes for strengthening transport planning and governance for sustainable development in cities in SSA. Presentations will focus on results from work in numerous cities across SSA, providing a broad base for comparative reflections.

The Research Forum is the third in a series of three webinars “Celebrating 5 years of new research on mobility & access in SSA” in September – November 2024. Each Forum (3 hours including break) focuses on a specific theme which has strong relevance for understanding issues related to transport, mobility and access in Sub-Saharan African cities. 

Program

Welcome and framing the Forum: Henrik Nolmark, VREF Director

Keynote speaker:  Alphonse Nkurunziza, University of Rwanda,
”Transport planning and governance based on principles of justice: piloting a proof of concept in Rwanda and Malawi”

Short poll among the audience

Presentations and commentary

Gladys Nyachieo, Multimedia University, Kenya
“Processes of transport planning and governance for urban sustainability in SSA: experiences from Kenya and Malawi”‘
Comments: Catherine Gateri, Kenyatta University, Kenya 

Liza Cirolia, African Centre for Cities
“Infrastructural planning and governance in SSA – some current issues and conceptual approaches”
Comments: Margot Rubin, Cardiff University, Wales 

Wilma Nchito, University of Zambia
“Mainstreaming inclusivity in mobility planning and governance in SSA: assessing urban mobility projects in Zambia and Kenya” 
Comments: Vivien Meli-Meli, University of Dschang, Cameroon

Reflections from the audience

Moderator: Winnie Mitullah, University of Nairobi
Rapporteur: Mary Mwangi, University of Nairobi