Investing in Active Mobility and Awareness Campaigns
The bustling city of Harare is taking a new approach to tackle one of its biggest challenges: road safety. With 41 deaths per 100,000 people each year due to road accidents, the need for change in Zimbabwe is urgent. Local authorities in Harare, along with local partners, international experts, and mobility enthusiasts, are working together to change the city’s approach to urban transport and safety.
Harare shares many challenges with other African capitals. The growing number of people moving from rural areas to the city has put pressure on the road network, increasing traffic congestion and making roads less safe for users. But the city is determined to improve the situation by promoting walking and cycling as safe and practical choices for residents.
“We want a Harare where people can walk or cycle without fear,” said Brian Zvomuya, Senior Traffic and Transportation Planner at Harare Municipality. “Our goal is to make our streets both functional and safe, especially for the most vulnerable.”
As part of Urban October, a month-long global campaign by UN-Habitat to raise awareness of sustainable urban development, Harare hosted an Open Street event in Budiriro, one of its busy, high-density suburbs. “It’s our first time moving Open Streets away from the city centre,” added Zvomuya. “This presents challenges, but we knew it was important to include these areas in our awareness campaigns.” Budiriro, with a population of around 90,000 people, often lacks infrastructure improvements like safer streets and better road safety initiatives.
A street in front of a primary school was closed to vehicles, allowing pedestrians, cyclists, and skateboarders to use the space freely. Local artist group Carligraph added to the event by painting murals promoting road safety. “Art can communicate important messages effectively,” said Markus, a Carligraph artist. “By adding visuals to the streets, we hope to inspire safer behaviours.”
The following day, with the support of ACRoS, the Global Alliance of Cities for Road Safety, an initiative funded by the UNRSF and implemented by UN-Habitat that aims to inspire and build the capacity of cities to improve road safety management in alignment with the Safe System Approach, the city organised a workshop in collaboration with GIZ, and other partners. The workshop introduced practical solutions to improve road safety, focusing on “tactical urbanism,” which uses low-cost, temporary measures to create safer streets.
The event also allowed Harare’s urban planners to learn from other African cities like Addis Ababa, Kigali, Quelimane, and Cape Town, which have successfully implemented active mobility strategies. “Learning from similar cities is essential,” said Judith Mujegu, Chief Traffic and Transportation Planner. “It’s especially valuable when they come from countries we can relate to, socially and economically.”
During the closing remarks, Mujegu officially announced Harare’s membership in ACRoS, highlighting the potential for increased knowledge exchange and city-to-city collaboration. “Harare’s streets should be symbols of life, not loss,” Mujegu emphasized. “Through collective efforts and a strong commitment to active mobility, we can turn this vision into reality.” As Harare advances towards its vision of a safer, more sustainable city, the momentum created by this workshop is expected to continue. Participants have already outlined strategic plans to organise four Open Street events in 2025, and a big demonstration to celebrate the UN World Bicycle Day, which takes place on June 3rd every year.
