Pan-African capacity building on inclusive climate resilient planning for active mobility

Overview

The future of Africa is closely connected to the state of its road network because mobility is crucial for economic and social prosperity. In this context, establishing efficient and well-planned transport is vital for promoting sustainable development in Africa. However, achieving this goal relies on establishing public transport systems that prioritize inclusivity and climate resilience, especially in low and middle-income cities in Africa. This is critical to ensure that disadvantaged and marginalized groups, including women, children, older individuals, and persons with disabilities, are not left behind in pursuing equitable and sustainable development.

In Africa, reliance on walking and cycling is widespread due to limited access to motorized vehicles and concerns about affordability. Over a billion people,  especially in low-income urban areas, rely on these transport modes for their daily commute, spending an average of 55 minutes walking or cycling each day. Vulnerable groups, including women, children, older adults, and people with disabilities, face unequal challenges because of inadequate infrastructure, high costs, and safety issues.  Despite the immense demand for active mobility, Africa’s transportation infrastructure does not meet the needs of its population. This situation is exacerbated by the effects of climate change, emphasizing the need to promote non-motorized transport to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop climate-resilient transport infrastructure. 

To tackle these issues, efforts such as implementing the Pan-African Action Plan for Active Mobility (PAAPAM) and the adoption of inclusive, climate-resilient transport planning strategies have been put into action.

In 2022, SEI researchers working on the HVT project  Inclusive climate-resilient transport in Africa used participatory approaches in Zambia and Uganda to understand the mobility challenges marginalised groups face. The project developed a guidance document that outlines various tools and approaches to address these needs and promote inclusive and climate-resilient transport planning in Africa. In addition, the project highlighted the need to increase awareness of measures to enhance inclusive transport infrastructure and its climate resilience. This requires equipping transport planners with the skills to understand climate risks and conduct vulnerability and risk assessments. It also requires the availability of financial resources and the prioritization of investments in resilient transport infrastructure to accommodate future climate change.

Building upon previous work, this project will raise awareness and increase the capacity of transport policymakers and practitioners to include the voices of disadvantaged groups when deciding about transportation planning for active mobility. It will use HVT outputs on women’s personal safety, climate resilience, inclusive transport, transport-oriented development and activity mobility to develop a masterclass programme for decision-makers in Africa’s transport industry.

These masterclasses will build on the findings of a UNEP needs assessment and provide practical skills and innovative techniques. Through hands-on learning, peer support, and expert facilitation, participants will learn to apply the approaches outlined in the guidance document to their work, contributing to the sustainable implementation of the principles outlined in the guide across diverse, active mobility contexts throughout Africa.

The initiative creates an optimal learning environment that encourages active participation, facilitates the exchange of knowledge, and promotes the development of practical skills. Ultimately, the project aspires to achieve tangible advancements in fostering inclusive, climate-resilient, and safe active mobility throughout Africa.