MAC Research Forum – Addressing issues of safety and mobility-related exclusion in African cities and urban waterways

Since 2021, the VREF Mobility and Access in African Cities (MAC) program has launched a series of virtual seminars under the title VREF MAC Research Forum. The seminars focus on recent or ongoing research in the area of sustainable mobility and equitable access in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) cities. 11 October we invite you to join us for knowledge exchange and discussions on:

For many groups of users, access to transport services is often limited by multiple barriers in urban spaces, including the risks to personal safety associated with various modes of travel. To identify and propose approaches to mitigate these barriers and risks, it is essential to acquire in-depth knowledge about the mobility patterns, needs, experiences and challenges of different users, particularly those who are vulnerable.

This Research Forum will focus on patterns of use of various transport options (particularly paratransit) among poor women and children with disabilities (CWD) in selected SSA cities, as well as strategies that could be developed to enhance access and mobility among these groups. The Forum will also highlight ongoing work that focuses on understanding causes and patterns of accidents on urban waterways, which are often overlooked in research on traffic safety in Africa and elsewhere. 

QUESTIONS WILL INCLUDE:

• What are the causes and patterns of traffic accidents on urban roads and waterways, and what safety regulation frameworks are being used to address this issue?
• What are the patterns of use of paratransit options (such as motorcycle taxis) by poor women, what barriers limit this use, and what strategies might be developed to enhance access and mobility among this group? 
• What are the mobility needs and barriers for children with disabilities, and what approaches could be applied to develop more inclusive and safe mobility options to enhance access to schools and other opportunities? 

PROGRAM

Welcome and introduction: Henrik Nolmark, Director VREF
Moderator: Winnie Mitullah, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Rapporteur: Mary Mwangi, University of Nairobi, Kenya

PRESENTATIONS:

“Comparative study of water and road traffic crashes in selected cities in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya”
Presenter: Samuel Odewumi, Lagos State University, Nigeria 
Discussant: Lanoi Maloiy, University of Nairobi, Kenya

“Exploring strategies for enhancing poor women’s mobility and access to boda boda (motorcycle) taxi services in Nairobi and Dar-Salaam”
Presenter: Violet Wawire, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Discussant: Adedotun Joshua Adewumi, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

“Inclusive mobility planning for children with disabilities in Ibadan (Nigeria) and Kampala (Uganda)”
Stanley Ojekere, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Discussant: Ugdoma Ogochukwu, Lagos State University, Nigeria

PLENARY DISCUSSION