Mainstreaming Inclusivity in Urban Mobility Related Projects in the Cities of Lusaka & Nairobi

The University of Zambia, Zambia

EP-2020-MAC-06, Dr. Wilma Sithabiso Sichombo Nchito, University of Zambia

Partners:

  • Catherine Waithera Gateri, Kenyatta University, Kenya
  • Gladys M. Nyachieo, Multimedia University of Kenya, Kenya
  • Edward Chibwili, Institute of Economic and Social Research, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract:

This proposal titled ‘Mainstreaming Inclusivity in Urban Mobility Related Projects in the Cities of Lusaka and Nairobi’ has been developed by the University of Zambia (Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and Institute of Economic and Social Research) in conjunction with Kenyatta University, Kenya, and Multi Media University, Kenya.

The overall objective of this study is to explore the inclusive governance concept in urban mobility projects in the cities of Lusaka and Nairobi. The specific objectives are: (a)Interrogate inclusiveness governance concept in transport policies and regulations in Zambia and Kenya, (b)Conduct a stakeholder analysis of urban mobility-related institutions and their role in urban mobility in Zambia and Kenya, (c)Undertake an inclusiveness analysis of urban transport programs along the project cycle using the Lusaka Decongestion Project (LDP) in Zambia and the Nairobi Expressway project in Kenya, (d)Compare the inclusiveness best practices in Zambia and Kenya, and (e)Identify opportunities for scaling up inclusiveness best practices in urban mobility programs/projects in Kenya and Zambia.

The proposed study will employ comparative case study (CCS) research design and use a mixed -methods approach to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. The Lusaka Decongestion Project (LDP) in Zambia and the Nairobi Expressway project in Kenya will be treated as cases and the study will analyse and synthesize the similarities, differences and patterns across the two projects. Specifically, this study will compare and explore how LDP in Zambia has incorporated inclusive governance concept and contrast the interpretations of transport policies and regulations to those of the Nairobi Expressway project in Kenya. This is designed to contextualize and compare the inclusive governance best practices in urban mobility-related projects in Zambia and Kenya. In-country dissemination workshops are proposed to share learning and to disseminate the findings to wider audiences.

Wilma S. Sichombo Nchito is and urban geographer. She is a senior lecturer in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies in the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Zambia (UNZA). She holds an MSc. Geography from London School of Economics, a PhD in Urban Geography from UNZA and an MSc. in Water and Environmental Management from the University of Loughborough. Wilma specialises in urban planning issues around informality, small town development, climate change and cities, border regions, tourism, waste management and water and sanitation.

She has published in areas such as urban informal trade (markets), small towns, migration, waste management and housing finance. She has experience in using co-production and transdisciplinary research methods in the various research projects she has undertaken. She has carried out consultancy work on behalf of the Government of Zambia and international agencies and NGOs such UN-Habitat, Oxfam and GIZ.

Wilma teaches courses such as Introduction to Human Geography, Introduction to Mapping Techniques in Geography, Urban Geography and Planning, Tourism, Environment and Development and Cartography at undergraduate level and Planning for Zambia’s Urban Transition, Planning for Sustainable Regional Development and Regional Studio at post graduate level. She has supervised students at both masters and doctorate levels.