Kampala Car Free Day ends with commitment to healthier environment



BY PAUL TENTENA 

The second Kampala’s car-free day, which brought together diverse individuals eager to learn about practical steps towards a healthier environment ended over the weekend with commitment to maintain a pollution free city.

Promoting car-free initiatives aims to foster a shift towards more sustainable and inclusive transportation choices and create a cleaner, healthier city for all.

Dr Pallavi Pant, Head of Global Health, Health Effects Institute (HEI)   said the health, environmental and economic impacts of poor transport ecosystems are foundational incentives for cities to create non-motorized transport options that offer sustainable options, promote healthier living and mitigate climate change.

From Kampala City, Eng. Justus Akankwasa, Director of Engineering and Technical Services at  Kampala Capital City Authority stressed the City’s initiatives geared towards creating green mobility including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) plans, Non-motorized transport lanes to encourage walking and cycling and smart traffic control for less traffic congestion.

Sharing the experience of Nairobi City, Ms. Maureen Njeri, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Green Nairobi, Nairobi City County Government, highlighted the importance of data in understanding air quality and mobility patterns to understand the full impact of air pollution. 

She noted that by investing in continuous monitoring, cities can gain valuable insights into health risks and guide effective interventions.

While Dr Tunde Ajayi, the General Manager of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) shared experiences on how Lagos, Africa’s largest megacity is implementing progressive initiatives such as expanding the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and promoting cycling. 

He emphasised the importance of measuring and documenting emissions to effectively evaluate the impact of these interventions.

Prof. Engineer Bainomugisha, AirQo Project Lead shared on the importance of access to air quality data for transport planning in a low-resource setting.

"Conversations like these are crucial for fostering sustainable urban development and improving public health. 

"These discussions not only raise awareness about the importance of reducing emissions and promoting greener modes of transportation but also provide a platform for sharing innovative solutions and best practices. 

"By bringing together experts and stakeholders from different cities and disciplines, we can collaboratively address the challenges of air pollution and mobility," said Byamugisha.

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