Everyday perceived accessibility in unwalkable cities in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Walking is the primary mode of access to livelihood opportunities and resources in cities across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite growing research and policy attention to retaining and promoting walking as a viable mechanism for access, the development of walking infrastructure and contextually relevant understandings of the links between accessibility, walking, and social inequalities continue to lag in SSA. This study explores the everyday walking practices, experiences, attitudes, and preferences of urban residents in Accra, Ghana and Maputo, Mozambique, focusing on their levels of perceived accessibility. Qualitative and quantitative evidence from three neighbourhoods across the two cities informs an assessment of the main drivers and factors influencing walking as a mode of access. We deploy multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) to determine the role of emotive responses, perceived risk and comfort, and the purpose of walking on the choice of walking as a mode of access. Findings are relevant to understanding the factors influencing walking and its perceived benefits and can inform initiatives for improving walking conditions in apparently unwalkable cities in SSA.

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