In this episode we speak with Carly Gilbert-Patrick from UNEP about the current state of walking and cycling (often referred to as 'active mobility') across Africa. We touch on the differences and similarities between regions and countries, the impact of motorisation on active mobility infrastructure as well as changing hearts and minds to see pedestrians and cyclists as priorities in transport planning. Links Share the Road Programme - UNEP‘Our walking is our asset’: Exploring the way in...

In this episode of Reimagining Motion, we talk with Simon Saddier, a Senior Urban Transport Specialist at the World Bank and the Africa Transport Policy Programme (SSATP). We look at the challenges of urban transport across Africa, the expansion of BRT, as well as strategies to create dialogues between formal and informal transport sector organisations.  Links Africa Transport Policy ProgrammeInstitutions in Motion: Learning from the Experience of Urban Mobility Organizing Authorities in...

In the first episode of our fifth series of Reimagining Motion we talk with Oluwaseun "Seun" Sonoiki, legal counsel at the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). We explore the challenges of coordinating and expanding transport in one of Africa's most rapidly urbanising cities.  Links Lessons learnt through gender-based travel data collection and related sexual harassment in Sub-Saharan AfricaTackling Sexual Harassment in sub-Saharan African Transport: Changing Attitudes,...

This week we speak with Gail Jennings, a research consultant based in South Africa where we explore the opportunities and the challenges of developing future infrastructures with active mobility (walking and cycling) as a central mode of transport in low- and middle-income countries. Links Learning from COVID-19 pop-up bicycle infrastructure: An investigation into flexible and user-led bicycle planning in Cape Town, Nairobi, and KampalaWomen Were Put On The Back-End: COVID-19 mobility...

In the second episode of season 4, we talk to Professor Clive Roberts of the University of Birmingham about all things rail. Railways have the potential to greatly reduce emissions compared to other land transport modes. We talk about the current state of rail in Africa, the challenges of modernising rail infrastructure, as well as the opportunities for innovation and new technologies such as hydrogen-powered rail. Links Novel traction systems for sustainable railway futures in LICs: Final...

In this episode of Reimagining Motion, we speak with Andrew Otto of TRL about the latest in road infrastructure research. How to build resilience to natural disasters and climate change into road design, as well as how to get policymakers on board. We also highlight specifically Road Note 31. The latest edition of the seminal guide for road construction in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Links Road Note 31: A Guide to the Structural Design of Surfaced Roads in Tropical and Sub-tropical...

In today’s episode we be chat with Bright Oywaya who has been passionately advocating for issues related to road transport and safety and disability since 1997 when she was involved in a road crash, causing disability that resulted in her having to use a wheelchair. Links Road Note (RN21): Enhancing the mobility of people with disabilities. Part 1: Guidelines for PolicymakersRoad Note 21 (RN21): Enhancing the mobility of people with disabilities. Part 2: Guidelines for...

In this episode we speak with Sonal Shah on inequalities for women, girls and other genders in transport, especially in India. We also look at her research into post COVID challenges in creating gender equitable, public transport systems as well as opportunities to improve transport infrastructure and policies. Links Moving Ahead: Urban Mobility Reforms for Post-COVID Resilience in IndiaPost-COVID-19 Mobility: Key levers to reform urban transport systemsMoving towards gender equitable...

This week we speak with Ann Frye, an international specialist on the transport needs of disabled and older people about the  challenges, misconceptions and opportunities for  disabled people accessing transport services in low- and middle-income countries. Links Disability Inclusive Policy Brief (Accessible version)Road Note (RN21): Enhancing the mobility of people with disabilities. Part 1: Guidelines for PolicymakersRoad Note 21 (RN21): Enhancing the mobility of people with disabilities....

To kick off season 3, we speak with Dr Fatima Adamu, Executive Director of Nana Girls and Women Empowerment Initiative in Sokoto, Nigeria about the inequalities women and girls face in accessing transport, gender blindness among transport administrators and politicians as well as tools to address sexual harassment in transport.  Links SHE CAN toolEmpower - Literature ReviewEmpower - Final Report

In this episode we speak with Maruxa Cadama, the Secretary General of the SLOCAT Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport. We look at the role of equity in the decarbonisation of transport and the role of organisations like SLOCAT in addressing climate resilience in transport. We also discuss Maruxa's impressions from COP27 and the role of these conferences in climate action. LINKS SLOCAT website Low Carbon Transport for Urban Sustainability (LᶜO₂TUS) SLOCAT at COP27

We speak with Romanus Opiyo, programme leader of Sustainable Urbanisation of the Stockholm Environmental Institute about the impact of climate change on transport in low- and middle-income countries and how it is affecting disadvantaged groups the most. We also discuss using participatory approaches to transport design that is inclusive and resilient. Links Inclusive Climate-Resilient Transport In Africa: Assessment of the needs of transport stakeholders including disadvantaged groups...

We speak with Bronwen Thornton, the CEO of Walk21 and former Board Chair of the Partnership for Sustainable Low Carbon Transport (SLOCAT), about the crucial and yet undervalued role that walking plays to create inclusive, greener transport. We ask will the drive towards green transport overshadow the needs of the most vulnerable in society who will face unfair conditions and access to mobility? Links Investing in Walking in African Cities: Moving Beyond Policy ‘Our walking is our asset’:...

We speak with Yacob Mulugetta, from UCL and also Partnership Lead of the Climate Compatible Growth Program (CCG) about the role of e-mobility in a just transition to greener transport systems and the link between future development of LICs and future energy systems. The episode also asks who should financially support LICs in the bid to adapt and mitigate against climate change when their contribution to transport emissions has been historically low compared to the rest of the world....

In this episode we talk to Timothy Durant of Vectos about the informal public transport sector and its effects on urban development, climate change and affordable mobility. Links TRANSITIONS – Informal Transport Compendium Report High Volume Transport Website

In this episode we speak with Dr Rutul Joshi, Associate professor at CEPT University in India. Dr Joshi led a multi-year research project on contextualising transit-oriented development for Indian cities. Links Inclusive TOD in Eastern Africa: A Guide to Local Development Planning Transit-oriented development: Case studies report Moving Ahead: Urban Mobility Reforms for Post-COVID Resilience in India Post-COVID-19 Mobility: Key levers to reform urban transport systems High Volume Transport...

In this episode we talk to Philip Krause of African Urban Mobility Observatory about how data is essential to transit-oriented development design and implementation. He also discusses his HVT work developing new technologies for transport data collection in sub-Saharan Africa. Links Africa Urban Mobility Observatory Policy and Planning Insights Report - HVT Research Africa Urban Mobility Observatory Role of Informal Paratransit Report: Big Data to Enable Inclusive, Low-Carbon Mobility -...

In this episode we talk to Jacob Mason of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy about transit-oriented development (TOD) as a mode for development in African cities. In their latest research for HVT, the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) have developed a guidance toolkit of inclusive TOD as part of local area planning in eastern Africa. Links: Inclusive TOD in Eastern Africa: A Guide to Local Development Planning - HVT Research from ITDP Jacob...