Here is a more viable solution to traffic jams
KAMPALA city is facing a serious problem of traffic jam. Single centred cities such as Kampala experience traffic jam partly because of the tendency to concentrate business activities in the city centre. Most business activities such as commercial banks, insurance companies, hotels, restaurants and
By Amin Kiggundu
KAMPALA city is facing a serious problem of traffic jam. Single centred cities such as Kampala experience traffic jam partly because of the tendency to concentrate business activities in the city centre. Most business activities such as commercial banks, insurance companies, hotels, restaurants and shopping centres are located in the city centre.
Many people living in peri-urban areas such as Ntinda, Kawempe, Bugolobi, Bwaise and Nateete use cars to reach the city centre. About 70% of all motor vehicles in Uganda are registered in Kampala. Some 90% of the 10,000 minibuses operate in the city centre. Reliance on private transport (especially private cars) and low-capacity minibuses has increased the demand for road space.
The Government has tried to alleviate traffic jam in the city by deploying traffic police on heavily congested roads, and removing some roundabouts. The Northern Bypass is meant to divert traffic generated by the heavy trucks away from the city centre. The measures have not worked. So there is need to explore a more viable solution.
Studies conducted in Singapore and Hong Kong show that besides high population densities (Hong Kong has a population density of 310 persons per hectare), transport policy in form of car restraint measures like high fuel taxes and prices, high road toll charges, pedestrianisation of the city centre, area licensing schemes, high parking fees, control of the supply of car parking spaces and control of car ownership was important in discouraging the use of private transport, promoting public transport and reducing traffic jam.
The setting up of high density satellite cities (condominium type settlements) in areas far away from the city centre such as Maganjo, Nsimbe, Kiwatule, Ntinda and Bugolobi should be looked at. These should have the necessary facilities and infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, modern restaurants and hotels, shopping centres, recreation facilities, banking facilities and industrial facilities.
The idea of building high density residential buildings within the city centre and equipping them with the necessary facilities (shopping facilities, parking facilities, swimming pools and restaurants) and encouraging commuters living in the suburbs to live in the city centre is a viable alternative.
The writer has a PhD in urban planning
KAMPALA city is facing a serious problem of traffic jam. Single centred cities such as Kampala experience traffic jam partly because of the tendency to concentrate business activities in the city centre. Most business activities such as commercial banks, insurance companies, hotels, restaurants and shopping centres are located in the city centre.
Many people living in peri-urban areas such as Ntinda, Kawempe, Bugolobi, Bwaise and Nateete use cars to reach the city centre. About 70% of all motor vehicles in Uganda are registered in Kampala. Some 90% of the 10,000 minibuses operate in the city centre. Reliance on private transport (especially private cars) and low-capacity minibuses has increased the demand for road space.
The Government has tried to alleviate traffic jam in the city by deploying traffic police on heavily congested roads, and removing some roundabouts. The Northern Bypass is meant to divert traffic generated by the heavy trucks away from the city centre. The measures have not worked. So there is need to explore a more viable solution.
Studies conducted in Singapore and Hong Kong show that besides high population densities (Hong Kong has a population density of 310 persons per hectare), transport policy in form of car restraint measures like high fuel taxes and prices, high road toll charges, pedestrianisation of the city centre, area licensing schemes, high parking fees, control of the supply of car parking spaces and control of car ownership was important in discouraging the use of private transport, promoting public transport and reducing traffic jam.
The setting up of high density satellite cities (condominium type settlements) in areas far away from the city centre such as Maganjo, Nsimbe, Kiwatule, Ntinda and Bugolobi should be looked at. These should have the necessary facilities and infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, modern restaurants and hotels, shopping centres, recreation facilities, banking facilities and industrial facilities.
The idea of building high density residential buildings within the city centre and equipping them with the necessary facilities (shopping facilities, parking facilities, swimming pools and restaurants) and encouraging commuters living in the suburbs to live in the city centre is a viable alternative.
The writer has a PhD in urban planning