Reimagining Nakuru’s Urban Mobility: The Transformative Value of Just and Sustainable Urbanization in Socially Just Public Transport

Authored By:

Zino Manuel Roos

,

July 1, 2023

Nakuru’s strong commitment to sustainable urbanization, guided by the United Nations’ New Urban Agenda (NUA) and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, positions it at the forefront of urban development. In this context, questions arise regarding how Nakuru can domesticate NUA and SDG 11 for sustainable development and also become a more just place for its citizens. This paper introduces socially just urban mobility as a transformative force which can harness the values of sustainable urbanization by linking them to the Just City principles. Specifically, it shows how socially just public transport can optimize the city’s social and intangible values through fostering public participation, inclusivity, urban governance, and management. The paper highlights the Just City’s outstanding potential to domesticate NUA and SDG 11 for a just and sustainable Nakuru. It presents six policy recommendations with which the city can reimagine its urban mobility through socially just public transport into a more citizen-centered, democratic, and just space.

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