Sustainable Urban Traffic Management in Third World Cities: The Case of Bulawayo City in Zimbabwe

Type Journal Article - Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa (JSDA)
Title Sustainable Urban Traffic Management in Third World Cities: The Case of Bulawayo City in Zimbabwe
Author(s)
Volume 15
Issue 2
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
Page numbers 185-200
URL http://jsd-africa.com/Jsda/Vol15No2-Spring2013B/PDF/Sustainable Urban Traffic Management in​Third.Fungai Hamilton Mudzengerere.pdf
Abstract
Urban transport is very crucial for the movement of goods and people which marks the backbone of the economy and
sustainable development. Rapid urbanisation in developing countries has resulted in transport facilities and infrastructure
failing to cope up with the huge demand and this resulted in traffic congestion, delays in movement, high travel costs, noise
and air pollution and road carnage which negatively affected the rate of economic development. Traffic had to a greater
extent contributed to global warming which is causing climate change thereby distorting the environment and undermining it
for the future generations. This paper examines the rapid ownership of cars in Zimbabwe’s second largest city of Bulawayo
and how this is influencing the smooth flow of traffic. Traffic management is very crucial for the efficient movement of
goods and people especially in the urban areas. The research examined how traffic management strategies helps improve the
flow of traffic which in turn reduces congestion, environmental pollution and thereby creating a concussive working and
traveling environment for sustainable development in developing countries. This research goes into detail in recommending
how city planners can improve the road network, traffic and parking facilities to avoid inconveniencing road users as well as
to reduce carnage on the roads. The proper planning of road networks in cities goes a long way in promoting sustainable
development especially in developing countries. Environment protection is tackled also in the paper which highlights ways in
which traffic affects the environment and how the damage can be reduced. Primary and secondary data were collected from
the field, city council, government ministries and the Zimbabwe Republic Police and they were analysed and tabulated.
Extensive literature review was also done on researches conducted in other countries. The research concluded that there is an
increase in car ownership in the city of Bulawayo and this is posing traffic problems like congestion, delays in movement,
road traffic accidents as well as polluting the environment.

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