Promoting Sustainable Transport Solutions for East African Cities

Background

With an urban growth rate of 4.87%, Africa is the continent with the fastest rate of urbanisation. In East Africa as in the rest of the continent, cities are facing sustained population growth, rapid motorization rates, rapidly worsening traffic congestion, and thus decreasing mobility and increasing health problems. Governments and local authorities must devise strategies and invest in innovative public transport solutions that will avert long term economic, social and environmental crisis brought about by growing inequity of existing transportation systems. The reality is that more and more people, especially the poor, are forced to use transport modes that are inefficient, costly and a relook of the travel options that present more equitable access to work places and to services including education, health and recreation is necessary.

The project “Promoting Sustainable Transport Solutions for East African Cities” (SUSTRAN) aims to reduce growth in private motorized vehicles, thus reducing traffic congestion and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  Capacity building support will provide the technical and institutional basis for implementing sustainable mobility networks and establishing demonstration transport corridors. The project has been working with government institutions in designing strategies aimed at providing mass rapid transit solutions for the cities by bringing in knowledge and expertise from the region and beyond.

Objective of the Side Event

The objective of the side event is to provide a platform for city representatives and SUSTRAN partners in Nairobi, Kampala and Addis Ababa to share experiences around the new paradigm shift of planning for an efficient public transport. The event will discuss the role of public transport supporting urban economic development, creating jobs, improving access to urban services.

Programme

13:30-13:35  Welcome and Introduction to SUSTRAN

Mr. Andre Dzikus, Coordinator, Urban Basic Services Branch

13:35-13:45  Developing a BRT Project in Kumpala

Mr. Godfrey Wandera, Director of Transport, Minister of Works and Transport, Uganda

Mr. Erick Trel, ROM, ARUP, AH

13:45-13:55  Public Transport Implementation in Addis Ababa   

Ms. Tibletse Asegedom, Bureau Vice Head, Addis Ababa City Roads Administration

Ms. Heather Allen, TRL

13:55-14:05  Public Transport and BRT-The Korean Experience

Mr. Choong Yeol (Peter) Ye, Vice President for Planning & Administration, The Korea Transport Institute

14:05-14:15  Public Transport in Nairobi: Policy Options and Perspectives

Dr. Evans Kidero, Governer, Nairobi County

Mr. Joseph Nkdayo, Director General, KURA

14:15-14:25  Discussions and Q&A

14:25-14:30  Closing Remarks

Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive  Director, UN-HABITAT

Facilitator: Cornie Huizenga, Joint Convener, Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport (SLoCaT)

Please see below for presentations from this session:

BRT: a sustainable solution for rapidly growing cities in Africa by Mr. Erick Trel,ROM, ARUP, AH

Public Transport Implementation in Addis Ababa by Ms. Tibletse Asegedom, Bureau Vice Head, Addis Ababa City Roads Administration

Sustainable Transport in Addis Ababa by Ms. Heather Allen, Program Director Sustainable Transport, TRL

Development of Public Transportation and BRT in Korea by Mr. Choong Yeol (Peter) Ye, Vice President for Planning & Administration, The Korea Transport Institute