05 May 2016

Walking is perceived as a cost efficient mode of travel with several positive effects, according to Nelson/Nygaurd Consulting Associates street designer, Mr Michael King.

Speaking at the pedestrian mobility for urban growth workshop in Gaborone, Mr King said walking was sometimes perceived as not relevant to mobility and for improving urban roads and traffic.

However, Mr King said walking made people more creative and improved their mood by helping them to think.

He noted that walking was perfect for communication and for health, adding that the United Nations Resolution A/70/L.44 (2016) called for reduced global road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 percent by 2020 and provides access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport system for all by 2030.

Mr King said that the resolution also calls for reduced road traffic deaths and injuries as a pressing developmental priority.

The findings of field surveys of the walking environment conducted in Gaborone as part of an assessment spanning in five African cities to review the adequacy of pedestrian environments and inform the prioritization of related investments shows that walking can help compensate for high and unaffordable costs of urban travel and facilitate mobility and accessibility needed for fostering more efficient urban economies. 

The survey shows that pedestrian traffic and walkability is at the core of mobility in many cities of Africa, however, accessibility and safety of the pedestrian route network is often hindered by poor planning and low investment. 

It shows that walking plays a fundamental and unique role in the efficiency of transport systems as it provides basic mobility and affordable transport, also bringing continuity in the travel chain through crucial first and last mile connectivity to public transport.

The survey indicates that walking also brings significant health and recreation benefits and by improving conditions for pedestrians facilitates reduces the demand for travel by motorized vehicles hence addressing multiple urban transport challenges that include congestion, pollution and road traffic crashes.

According to the survey, cities in Africa present particular challenges as pedestrian environments are often nonexistent or poorly maintained in many cases and lack good practice in developing safe streets environments indicating that in Africa between 40 and 60 percent of all trips are done entirely by foot with trips undertaken primarily by public transport also involving significant walking distances. 

However, ‘the pedestrian space is often not differentiated from that of the road itself or is continually eroded by street vendors, encroached upon by shop premises, or blocked by parked cars, motorcycles, and bicycles,’ reveals the survey.

The survey shows that Gaborone had a population of 213,384 in 2007 with projections showing a population of 256,203 by 2016. The city finds itself beset with traffic from private automobiles and this is partly due to the high level of access to cars in Botswana’s urban areas. Eighteen per cent of households have access to a car. Ends