Smart public transportation through more participation. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Smart technological advances can revolutionise many aspects of a city. For example, the new light rail train in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa has changed the cityscape and the ease of commuting for many of the city’s inhabitants. What used to be a chaotic system of minibuses is now being transformed to environmental-friendly and accessible transportation.

But is it really accessible for everyone? Many citizens have trouble reading the signs and are scared of this new mode of transport, whereas others cannot afford the fares. Many areas remain unserved. This is a problem Addis Ababa is facing along with many other cities in the Global South – and North.

Often, transportation improvement works are done without the consent of the population, resulting in displacement and discontent as well as confusion and the destruction of local markets. More than prestige projects paid for by foreign investors, smart transportation has to be based on the needs and ideas of local people. Participatory processes can help to achieve widely accepted modes of public transport that serve a maximum number of citizens. Visit @parcitypatory for more information on participation in urban planning.

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#urbanplanning #smartcities #smarttransportation#urbanlife #participation #affordability

#addisababa #ethiopia #eastafrica#africa