Poverty and urban transport in East Africa

Abstract

This paper summarises a review of research and Dutch donor experience with regard to poverty and urban transport in four African cities—the capitals of Kenya and Tanzania and two of their secondary cities. They are areas dominated by the number, but not the influence, of the poor. The means of transport they use—walking, cycling and public transport—have been systematically discriminated against for decades, and the effects of this policy have worsened their quality of life. The major obstacle to reform is the collapse in the authority of civic government, which is characterised by the evolution of informal land use and transport service markets. Without control of these it is difficult to conceive of a sensible basis for comprehensive transport planning. NGO and donor organisations have led the way in the improvement of infrastructure for the poor, including transport, using participatory techniques. Project and research experience has yielded convincing results, showing that transport infrastructure, services and safety issues can be addressed through innovative processes and organisations. The NGO–donor alliance must be strengthened and complemented by a transport planning process centred on the needs of people rather than vehicles. However, such a process has to be preceded by efforts to rebuild the credibility of local governance.