Integrating non-motorized transport into the urban transport system a case study of Westlands commercial centre Nairobi.

Abstract

In most countries, NMT has developed spontaneously and remains largely the normal process of transportation planning. In Kenya, studies carried out on non-motorized transport and their provision have dwelt on the larger centres in the urban centres in the urban areas and also the CBD. A study of Westlands Commercial Centre, takes a different turn given that it covers a small area yet, steadily growing and attracts land use activities. The case study is representative of the upcoming commercial centres of Nairobi, for example Nairobi west. However, the steady increase in growth and development is without commensurate infrastructure and the few available are overstretched. The challenges notably are faced by the non- motorized users of the urban transport system. They face congestion, poor walking conditions due to the limited number of NMT facilities, and the discomfort associated with it especially in bad weather. The study looked at integrating NMT in the urban transportation system in Westlands Commercial Centre. Westlands is dynamic commercial growth centre three kilometres from the capitals Central business district at the axis of a road network to the affluent Western and Northern residential suburbs of Nairobi. The study focused on Westlands Commercial Centre, the core unit of the study because it experiences the highest number of pedestrian movement activity to various land uses in the area