Abstract
Cycling in many cities of the Global South faces unending exclusion from street spaces despite the on-going transport policy reforms. This exclusion worsens the marginalisation of the poor majority who use this mode. In this paper, we formulate social inclusion as a policy tool for reconciling transport policy to the cycling needs of Kisumu, Kenya. We draw from social quality theory and Lefebvre’s right to the city concept to assemble the ideals of social inclusion. These ideals form the benchmark for a qualitative content analysis of the policy pronouncements contained in the Kenya Vision 2030 and the Integrated National Transport Policy to ascertain the opportunities presented by these policies for cycling inclusion. Findings from interviews held with transport professionals in government and private practice support this content analysis. Results show that while the Kenya Vision 2030 focuses on economic growth, the Government has prioritised the implementation of its projects, thus diminishing the fragile opportunity for cycling inclusion presented by the transport policy. To consolidate this opportunity, we propose different policy recommendations to improve the terms for cyclists to claim and produce street spaces.
Highlights
Providing street-spaces that support utility cycling remains an elusive target of transport policy in many Sub-Saharan African cities
The paper draws on the inclusionary principles espoused by social quality theory (Maesen & Walker, 2002) and Lefebvre’s right to the city concept (Lefebvre, 1996) to assemble the key tenets that guide its analysis of Kenya’s economic development blueprint (i.e. Kenya Vision 2030) and transport policy for the opportunities they hold for cycling inclusion in Kisumu
Basing its arguments on social quality theory and the right to the city concept, the study developed key criteria upon which it assessed the Kenya Vision 2030 and the Integrated National Transport Plan for the extent to which their pronouncements were inclusive of cycling and its street-space needs
Summary
Providing street-spaces that support utility cycling remains an elusive target of transport policy in many Sub-Saharan African cities. The paper draws on the inclusionary principles espoused by social quality theory (Maesen & Walker, 2002) and Lefebvre’s right to the city concept (Lefebvre, 1996) to assemble the key tenets that guide its analysis of Kenya’s economic development blueprint (i.e. Kenya Vision 2030) and transport policy for the opportunities they hold for cycling inclusion in Kisumu.
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