Anciaes, PR; (2021) Pedestrians in two middle-income island countries - what happens when traffic grows? Presented at: Active Living Research Conference, Virtual conference.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In growing cities in middle-income countries, walking is still an important mode of transport but pedestrians are not catered for as well as car users, who can use new and enlarged roads. This makes walking more dangerous and less pleasant. It may also reduce the use of streets as social spaces (a common activity in warm climates). We analyze these aspects in the capitals of two islands countries: Havana (Cuba) and Praia (Cabo Verde). OBJECTIVES: How are walking and street activities affected by the growing traffic volumes and speeds in the two cities? How do residents perceive the current situation and adjust their walking behavior? METHODS: A mixed-methods approach. In Havana we used: 1) participatory mapping to develop a new road classification based on movement and ‘place’ (an often-forgotten dimension, encompassing waiting for buses, strolling, relaxing, and socializing); 2) community street audits, where participants walked along a busy street and rated the walking environment. In Praia, we used: 1) GIS mapping of walking conditions by neighborhood; 2) workshops where participants drew perceptual maps of their neighborhood and discussed factors affecting walking and how roads interfere with knowledge and experience of walking on different neighborhoods. RESULTS: In Havana, the new road classification revealed that most areas with high ‘place’ importance also have high movement importance. However, infrastructure in those areas caters mostly for vehicles, not pedestrians. The audits pinpointed several problems related to crossing the road, and the respite from traffic offered by street colonnades. In Praia, GIS mapping showed spatial inequalities in exposure to busy roads and other aspects of the walking environment. The perceptual maps confirmed that busy roads limit access to places and people on the other side, creating “blank spaces” of unknown areas on the other side. CONCLUSIONS: Common results arose from the researches in the two countries: a situation where growing traffic volumes and speeds are changing the perceptions of public space. Streets (used by people and slow-moving vehicles) are becoming roads (where motorized traffic is dominant and walking becomes dangerous). While new and improved roads increase accessibility, boosting employment and income, they also decrease safety and impede social activities IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND POLICY: Traffic calming and crossing facilities can decrease risk for pedestrians. But this will reduce traffic speeds in areas that are already congested, so measures to improve public transport and tame the growth of car use are crucial. The methods used in this research provide useful information for governments, using minimal data but rich knowledge from the communities.

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