Creative and Innovative Methods to Develop Equitable Street Space

We are urban professionals, residents and enthusiasts, trying to figure out how, when, where, and what we can do to make Nairobi and Kenya a better place to live. We have experiences from within and outside Kenya that show that it is possible to have livable urban spaces. We want to bring those experiences to bear on Nairobi but not sure how. Or we are sure how but need a critical mass of people with whom to think things through. The Naipolitans platform provides that neutral space necessary to host conversations about urban-shaping initiatives taking place across our city.

Naipolitans

Typically, half of East African cities urban residents walk to work yet infrastructure provision for non-motorised transport remains mainly aspirational. Inclusion of vulnerable communities in the development of streetscape infrastructure to support their journeys is rare; but considering their livelihood and social interaction needs in planning is even less common. Addressing sustainable mobility for developing country cities is therefore a key urbanisation challenge.
Currently street space in E. African cities is preferentially allocated towards motorised transport. Rarely is dedicated space allocated to non-motorised transport (cycling) and walking nor consideration given to people with mobility limitations  (elderly, disabled etc.). Even where space is allocated, boundaries are often violated placing all road users at risk. Additionally limited public realm street space is often re-appropriated for business activities further restricting safe mobility.
Building upon a completed GCRF network grant (<A HREF="http://www.cmiist.com/" TARGET="_blank" DATA-MSYS-CLICKTRACK="0" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">CMIIST</A>) that explored with artists, practitioners, planners and policy makers the potential benefits of using more creative methods to co-design urban infrastructure to enhance mobility, the project compares the outcomes of deploying such approaches on: inclusion; co-benefits including unexpected improvised opportunities; and outcomes – with current standard planning practices. It also evaluates the longer term learning legacy encouraged by this interdisciplinary action research on key decision makers to assess if belief changes have occurred.
This discussion looks at the outcome of this project, focusing on issues of safe, sustainable streetscapes co-designed schemes that re-balance priorities between motorised and sustainable transport modes.
This critical focus will showcase potential unintended consequences of change – both positive and negative – caused by unexpected behaviours linking to concepts of improvisations where users identify alternative opportunities presented by infrastructure.

PAWA254

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