A Comparative Assessment of the Quality of Walking and Cycling Infrastructure in Nakuru (Kenya) and Jinja (Uganda)

Sociology Multimedia University of Kenya

EP-2021-MAC-08, Gladys M. M. Nyachieo, Sociology Multimedia University of Kenya

Partners: Project Team Uganda

• Ms Esther Bayiga-Zziwa, Lecturer and PhD candidate, School of Public Health, Makerere University, Uganda.
• Leonard Mwesigwa, Founder and CEO, Inclusive Green Growth Uganda and Transport Engineer and PhD candidate

Project Team Kenya

• Ms Paschalin Mbenge, Young Scholar and PhD candidate- IDS university of Nairobi, Kenya
• Dr Calvine Kayi, Lecturer, Department of Geography, Kenyatta University, Kenya.

External advisor

• Geetam Tiwari, Professor and Head TRIP Centre (Transportation Research and Injury Prevention Centre) Delhi and joint faculty at the Department of Civil Engineering, at the Indian Institute of Technology, India

Abstract:

The objective of the proposed study titled ‘A comparative Assessment of the Quality of Walking and Cycling Infrastructure in Nakuru and Jinja’ is to compare and contrast walking and cycling infrastructure in two secondary towns in East Africa; Nakuru and Jinja in Kenya and Uganda respectively. The main objective of this study is to assess the quality of walking and cycling infrastructure in Nakuru and Jinja. While a number of studies have been conducted assessing walking and cycling infrastructure in Africa, this study fills a gap in knowledge concerning the quality of walking and cycling infrastructure in African secondary cities utilizing a mixed-methods approach with both quantitative and qualitative participatory approaches. Walkers and cyclists in many parts of Africa are “captive walkers and cyclists”; walking and cycling out of necessity and affordability as opposed to accessibility, safety and pleasure.

The proposed study seeks to meet two objectives

• (i) assess the quality of walking and cycling infrastructure in selected roads in Nakuru and Jinja
• (ii) explore user experiences and perspective on quality of walking and cycling infrastructure in Nakuru and Jinja.

The level of service (LOS) trip quality method will be used with co-assessment done together with community members. In addition, a survey will be conducted using the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS-Africa) tool, which has been validated to rate perceptions of walkers and cyclists in these settings. Lastly, a qualitative approach utilizing focus group and key-informant interviews will be conducted to obtain an in-depth analysis from lived experiences and understand their preferences.