Partners:

• Edward Chibwili, Institute of Economic and Social Research, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
• Mercy M. Fandamu, Directorate of Research, Copperbelt University, Zambia
• Anne Wairimu Kamau, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract:

This proposal titled ‘Whose City Is It Anyway? Interrogation of Socially Just Public Transport Principle in Urban Mobility Plans/Projects of Secondary Cities in Kenya (Nakuru) And Zambia (Chipata) is a collaboration between researchers from Kenya (Kenyatta University and University of Nairobi and Zambia (University of Zambia and Copperbelt University). The main objective is to interrogate the Social Justice Public Transport Principles (SJPTP) in urban public transport mobility plans and developments in secondary cities of Kenya and Zambia.

The specific objectives are:

• 1)Interrogate the application of the socially just public transport perspective in the current and proposed urban mobility plans for Nakuru and Chipata,
• 2) Audit existing urban public transport infrastructure developments within the city from a socially just perspective in Nakuru and Chipata,
• 3) Compare the public transport plans and infrastructure developments in Nakuru and Chipata from a SJPTP perspective
• 4) Identify interventions and measures that can be implemented to promote SJPTP planning and investments in Nakuru and Chipata.

The study will use a mixed -methods approach to collect data, thus both qualitative and quantitative data will be collected. Using a comparative case study approach and the SJPTP pillars, the study will explore, compare how the two cities have incorporated SJPTP in the current and proposed urban mobility plans. The study will be designed in such a way that it will enable the contextualization of the SJPTP notions as best practices; as well as allow the researchers to gain a deep understanding of complex and multiple factors, issues, and processes associated with SJPTP in urban mobility.