Transport-Land Use Research Study - Millennium Cities Initiative ...

The Accra Pilot BRT: Transport-Land Use Research Study
Millennium Cities Initiative and Accra Metropolitan Assembly
However an extensive study on bicycle use among the urban poor in Nima and Jamestown of Accra (Turner
et al, 1995) highlighted the general negative attitudes within certain communities toward cyclists. Healthy
transport, as described by Banister (2008), requires separating people and traffic, with separate routes and
space for pedestrians and cyclists. Investment in separate, dedicated infrastructure for cyclists could reduce
these negative attitudes and the risk environment for cyclists. As well, promoting bicycle use as a transport
mode requires addressing the cultural and community perceptions of bicycling use in different ethnic
communities (Turner et al, 1995).
Again, medium-density linear development along corridors or “fingers” is another urban transportation and
land use strategy that could encourage sustainable development of the city. This “finger” development
approach promotes urban development as a central activities core, or the “palm” at the central business
district with radiating corridors of strong infrastructure and activities which is built on Accra‟s existing
infrastructure and development. The strategy would provide a guide for the city‟s future population growth
and provide a cost-effective means of supporting the population with improved transportation, potable water,
proper waste management and other infrastructure. It would also integrate transportation with regional hubs
of industry, retail and office development. A potentially complementary framework is the urban field satellite
concept of a low-density city such as Accra, which is supported by a network of major roads that connect
activity nodes. The city would be surrounded by satellite cities at the periphery and all cities would be linked
through a comprehensive transportation network (Columbia University Planning Studio, 2003; Kofi, 2004).
Gender and Youth- Related Transport and Mobility Issues
Gender is a key consideration for urban mobility in Accra. Porter (2008) highlights strong relationships
between gendered social constructs and transportation networks in Sub-Saharan Africa, which ultimately
impacts women‟s access to mobility and transport. For example, while both men and women serve as owners
of motorized and non-motorized transport, including taxis, hand-pulled trucks and trolleys, women are either
non-existent or greatly under-represented as operators of both commercial motorized transport and nonmotorized
transport.
Since high-income earners and female workers are more likely to use faster and more comfortable modes
such as taxis and private cars, incentivizing them to use public transportation would dramatically reduce the
number of vehicles on the roads (Turner & Kwakye, 1996; Porter, 2008). Women are also found to rely more
often on pedestrian transport (Porter, 2008). In addition, women, who typically earn lower incomes than their
male counterparts and bear the responsibility for childcare and the household, face greater constraints in their
mobility and travel mode options (Porter, 2008).
In urban areas in Ghana such as in Accra, market trading – a key survival strategy for numerous low-income
households –is a predominantly female economic activity. Women comprise the majority of the trading
sector in Ghana, and the concomitant activities in purchasing, transporting and selling goods fall within their
domain (Greico, Turner, Kwakye (1995). These authors assert that market women strongly depend on
informal public transportation, taxis and other non-motorized transport for their trading activities. These
- 51 -