News

GGGI Rwanda announces the African Mobility Month Kinamba Junction Design Competition for 2021

Globally, the number of cars is projected to triple between now and 2050. Without disruptive action, transport emissions are expected to grow from 7.7 Gt to around 15 Gt by 2050. Green mobility – in combination with the incorporation of electric vehicles and increased use of public transport – is critical to enabling cities to continue on a path of low-carbon economic development. Incorporating car free zones, pathways for safe walking, and bicycle routes are effective ways cities can promote sustainable mobility while safeguarding the health and well-being of city residents.

Rwanda has embarked on several initiatives aimed at reducing air pollution. These include attractive incentives for transitioning to electric vehicles, reduced tariffs for electric vehicle charging stations, the exploration of dedicated bus lanes and bus rapid transit (BRT), conversion of the central business district (CBD) to a car-free, pedestrian corridor, and the launch of the country’s first public bicycle sharing system in the City of Kigali. In order to promote and incentivize walking and cycling, more resources are needed for continuous bicycle lanes, upgraded pedestrian walkways, and non-motorized transport (NMT) infrastructure as well as design features to facilitate the use of public transport.

Rwanda has recently installed air pollution sensors throughout the country. Through the Mobile Ambient Air Quality Monitoring system, policymakers and researchers have found that three areas in the City of Kigali are consistently within the red zone, meaning air pollution is at over 35%. The junction is plagued by inadequate pedestrian crossings, limited facilities for cyclists including bicycle taxis, which cater to low-income road users.


Objective: In order to have a good design that integrates all road users at the junction, the organizers have developed a design competition to engage road users in the design process for the junction. The aim of the competition will be to encourage individuals, NGOs, students, and City of Kigali residents to engage in the participatory process of transit-oriented development (TOD), to reimagine and transform urban mobility in Rwanda. The aim of the competition will be to 1) encourage the incorporation of walking and cycling as transport into the design and plans for a revitalized Kinamba Junction, 2) promote the integration of universal access considerations for vulnerable road users, and 3) identify solutions to prioritize bus movement and accommodate the future BRT system.

Purpose: African Mobility Month is an annual event that was initiated in 2019 by the ICLEI. This year, given the challenges of responding to covid-19, mobility in African cities is an important component of ensuring an effective economic recovery. Mobility is central to “building back better” and post-covid economic stimulus planning. This year’s event will focus on encouraging modes of transport that comply with social distancing requirements while equally contributing to low-carbon development and economic growth. For more information on African Mobility Month, visit: https://africa.iclei.org/african-mobility-month/

 How to participate: During African Mobility Month (17 Sept – 17 Oct), organizers will launch the Kinamba Junction Street Design Challenge. The challenge will continue throughout the month and will accept designs to remodel Kinamba Junction from entrants. During the month, the organizers will accept proposals for new designs aimed at improving accessibility and ease of use for active/green mobility modes of transport (walking and cycling) and for public transport. Teams will have until the end of African Mobility month to submit their entries.

Participants can submit designs as individuals or as teams by emailing one image and a paragraph describing the design in PDF, ppt, or Word. There is no age minimum or maximum for teams or individuals to compete. The competition will close on October 31, 2021 at 11:59PM CAT. Designs can be submitted by sending to rwandainfo@gggi.org.

Judging Criteria

Consideration Points
Air Pollution

How will your design reduce air pollution in Kinamba Junction?

10
Accessibility

How does your design incorporate the needs of vulnerable road users including: women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities?

10
Green Elements

What design features embed natural features such as plants, trees, and other nature-based solutions?

10
Climate Resilience

What considerations are incorporated into your design for reducing urban heat islands, address and mitigate flooding, and other climate considerations?

10
Public Transport Access

How does your design improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in Kinamba Junction and improve journey times for public transport users and accommodate the planned Kigali BRT system?

10
Active Mobility

How does your design prioritize active/green mobility (ie pedestrians and cyclists)?

10
Team Composition

Does you team include diverse members from different disciplines, genders, and abilities? For individuals, how does your design incorporate diversity in perspectives?

10
Innovation

How does your design incorporate innovation? Either in the use of ICT, technology, smart city approaches, intelligent transport systems (ITS), etc.

10
Cultural Aspects

How does your design reflect the culture of Rwanda and indigenous design aspects?

10
Made in Rwanda

Does your design include locally sourced, produced, manufactured, assembled materials?

10
Total 100

Judges

  • Ministry of Infrastructure Transport Division, Government of Rwanda
  • City of Kigali
  • University of Rwanda.
  • Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP)
  • ICLEI
  • University of Belgrade, Serbia
  • UNEP

Selection Process:

  • Entries will be accepted online by sending via email to rwandainfo@gggi.org. Deadline for submission is October 31, 2021, 11:59PM CAT.
  • The panel of judges will identify the top three designs. Winners will be announced on November 15, 2021.
  • The top three designs will then be invited to be recognized in an awards ceremony and national stakeholders workshop for non-motorized transport infrastructure at the University of Rwanda where they will present their concepts for improving walkability and NMT infrastructure in Kinamba Junction.
  • The three top designs will be featured in the African Mobility Month digest published by ICLEI and be invited to present their design during a TUMI podcast.
  • The three winning designs will also be exhibited in the City of Kigali car free zone.

Organizers

ICLEI: ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network working with more than 2500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 125+ countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development. Our Members and team of experts work together through peer exchange, partnerships and capacity building to create systemic change for urban sustainability. @ICLEIAfrica

 Ministry of Infrastructure, Government of Rwanda: The Mission of the Ministry of infrastructure is to ensure sustainable infrastructure development covering transport, energy, water supply and sanitation, housing and human settlement sectors aiming to drive Rwanda’s economic growth and enhance quality of life of the citizen. Vision To provide modern infrastructures for sustainable economic growth and socio-economic development. @RwandaInfra

 City of Kigali: The Mission of the City of Kigali is to “Build and Sustain a City of Character, Vibrant Economy and Diversity through Strong Partnership with Stakeholders to Provide Responsive, Rapid and Effective urban development.” @CityofKigali

 University of Rwanda (UR) is a public university established by the Government of Rwanda with the vision to be a leading University that develops highly enterprising graduates prepared and dedicated to building a more just and sustainable society locally, nationally and globally, with appropriate research innovations that advance quality of life. @Uni_Rwanda

 UNEP Share the Road Programme: Share the Road Programme supports governments and other stakeholders in developing countries to move away from prioritizing the car-driving minority, towards investing in infrastructure for the majority: those who walk and cycle. @UNEP

 The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is an intergovernmental organization founded to support and promote a model of economic growth known as “green growth”, which targets key aspects of economic performance such as poverty reduction, job creation, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. GGGI has been active in Rwanda since 2015 and has been providing technical assistance to the Government of Rwanda and to secondary cities in the areas of sustainable infrastructure, climate finance, and green city development. @GGGI_Rwanda

The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) has been working with cities in the Global South since 1985 to plan and design the streetscape for pedestrians and cyclists, and the list of our accomplishments is long. We’ve helped cities build sidewalks, footpaths, greenways, assisted in launching bike share programs, and protected cycling networks to make walking and biking safe and enjoyable for everyone, including the elderly, children, and people with disabilities. We’ve designed and distributed a modern cycle-rickshaw, still used by more than half a million people in India. Finally, we’ve initiated “car-free days”, which give residents a glimpse of how their cities could change by making street space a resource for everyone. @ITDPAfrica