The role of non-motorised transport (NMT) in spatial integration: the case study of Lamontville in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
Loading...
Date
2019
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This research focuses on the role on Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) in spatial integration by
using Lamontville as the case study. South African Spatial planning under the apartheid
regime has heavily shaped the spatial distribution and controlled accessibility and mobility of
the South African residents. This has created a constant need for the people especially in the
townships to travel to the places of employment often spending a large percentage of their
income and time commuting using motorised transportation. Despite walking identified as
the most common and widely used means of transportation for many people in South Africa,
it is still marginalised and not receiving the recognition it deserves from the spatial and the
transport planning professionals. It is for this reason that this study investigates the role of
NMT in spatial integration.
This study adopted the qualitative methodology from a case study approach to achieve its
goals. Primary and secondary data has been used by the researcher to ascertain the opinions
and the perception of the various respondents. In - depth interviews has been the qualitative
tool used to collect data from Key informants and the local residents.
The findings for this study reveal that NMT users in Lamontville are currently subjected to
various challenges such safety, lighting, poor development and poor maintenance of the
limited existing formal NMT routes. There are numerous informal NMT routes that have
developed over the recent years due to population growth in Lamontville. These informal
routes are disregarded by the transport planning officials, yet they are widely used and often
are the only form of accessibility available to the residents.
This study therefore advocates for an urgent need for the development and the
implementation of the NMT plan for Lamontville residents in order to promote spatial
integration.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.