SOUTHERN DIARIES

Young people's daily mobilities in sub-Saharan Africa

Gina Porter

13/10/2017

Have you ever considered the massive importance that mobility plays in determining young people’s lives and life chances? Given the crucial role of transport, could practitioners’ and policy makers’ interventions in this arena help change young lives for the better?

Thematics : Lifestyles, Policies, Theories

NEW VOICES

Car traffic reaches a peak: and now, the beginning of decline?

Richard Grimal

28/09/2017

Since the 2000s, after decades of steady growth, there has been a shift in behavior relative to car ownership and use. This has resulted in a cap on car traffic at the national level (France) in a larger context of decline in car travel in large urban areas, increased use of public transportation, a revival of active modes and the emergence of alternatives to individual car ownership (carpooling, car sharing, car rental between individuals, etc.). How to explain it?

Thematics : Lifestyles, Policies

SOUTHERN DIARIES

The motorcycle taxis of Lomé: sounding boards for social and political movements

Assogba Guézéré

30/08/2017

Since 1992, the motorcycle taxi phenomenon has reached an unprecedented scale in Togolese capital, a city stricken by poverty and important mobility issues. This so-called "informal" mode of urban transportation is a response to the lack of reliable public transportation service, allowing urban dwellers to access services, shops, etc. and thus stay in the city. Beyond questions of travel and transportation, Lomé’s motorcycle taxis have actually created a new type of public space, from which researchers can observe social relations. They are also used by political parties for processions.

Thematics : Lifestyles, Policies

SOUTHERN DIARIES

“Zebras” in combat against urban chaos in La Paz

Patricia Alvarez

19/06/2017

Moving towards the city center, one discovers the “chaos” that reigns in the streets: vehicle congestion and traffic mayhem give rise to constant tension and turmoil among users of the public space. Pedestrians attempting to cross the street must face the rage of drivers who dominate the roads. Between walking (a risky endeavor in this hostile environment) and taking a minibus (which are constantly delayed by traffic), the choice proves difficult. But at the corner of an intersection one catches a glimpse of a white and black striped figure dancing, jumping...A zebra.

Thematics : Lifestyles, Policies

SOUTHERN DIARIES

Rethinking the sharing of urban traffic areas: the case of Ouagadougou

Léandre Guigma

22/05/2017

Most African cities are comprised of segregated, fragmented urban areas, with "unplanned” working-class neighborhoods alongside planned areas. This segregation is also apparent in the design of main urban roads, as designers tend to separate modes of travel (walking, cycling, two-wheeled vehicles, cars, etc.) and favor car use. In reality, however, main roads are used by all types of modes, regardless of the spaces dedicated to them. This modal mixing can also be observed on the lateritic dirt roads in neighborhoods where traffic, in fact, seems more fluid than on the city’s main thoroughfares.

Thematics : Lifestyles, Policies

SOUTHERN DIARIES

Matatus... is small-scale transportation becoming trendy?

Léa Wester

29/03/2017

Like in many African cities, Nairobi’s minibuses are an informal mode of collective transportation that emerged due to a lack of efficient public transportation. As in many other cities, the latter ultimately disappeared as a result of competition from this type of minibus, which offers residents travel options in the form of fragmented collective transport services. Economic crises and the liberalization of the sector underlie the emergence of this system.In this context, this informal system meets both mobility and employment needs.

Thematics : Lifestyles, Policies

SOUTHERN DIARIES

Presentation of our new section : "Southern diairies"

Javier Caletrío, Aniss Mouad Mezoued, Mobile Lives Forum

13/03/2017

“Southern Diaries” opens its doors! The section features articles on issues linked to mobility in Souths. Discover the section’s editorial line and the conditions of participation.