An assessment of factors affecting the independent mobility of children in Dar Es Salaam

Abstract

Paper presented at the 30th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 11-14 July 2011 "Africa on the Move", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.

The opportunity for children to move about freely in public outdoor environments without an accompanying adult is defined in the literature as 'child independent mobility'. Studies of child independent mobility in other parts of the world have led to the revision of the way that measures of chlld mobility, development, road safety, and general well-being are contextualised, assessed and catered for in national policies. As a result, child independent mobility and related subjects have become important issues in many parts of the world, but especially so in Africa where local conditions in support of walking and cycling are not good and access to education is of vital developmental importance. This paper reports upon the findings of a child independent mobility study conducted in Dar es Salaam in 2010. The study involved the collection of quantitative and qualitative data through the administration of questionnaires completed by both schoolchildren aged 7-15 years old, and their parents or guardians. The paper presents the study's findings with respect to schoolchildren partlclpation in activities outside their home environments without an adult, and the issues that influence this The paper concludes wlth a discussion on the implications the study findings have for policies aimed at improving children's independent mobility and safety and security in public outdoor environments.