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May 8, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked trusted source written by researcher(s) proofread by Seth Asare Okyere et al, The Conversation African cities aren't welcoming places for pedestrians. Yet walking is free and, given the shortage of decent public transport, it's often the only way for people to move around.
More than 70% of Africa's urban population of about 609 million walk daily to their various destinations. As researchers who study urban development , we are always looking for insights that planners and city authorities can use to make African and global south cities socially equitable, sustainable and resilient. In a recent paper we reviewed some of Ghana's urban planning and transport policies, exploring the extent to which policy makers and city authorities planned for and implemented interventions that addressed the needs of walkers.
We then contrasted what we found with the walking experiences of residents of two low-income settlements in Accra. Over three-quarters (75.3%) of the national population make up to ten daily trips to places such as schools, market places and churches on foot.
A similar trend was found in our study, where more than two thirds make daily trips on foot. While Ghana has several transport and local development planning policies , our findings suggest serious gaps between polic.
