Invoking spatial justice in urban mobility in Nairobi: A commuter’s perspective

Justice in relation to mobility is invoked and performed in various ways. This is based on the premise that space not only contains resources that can be distributed but also consists of individuals who are highly mobile within that space, and whose perceptions play a pivotal role in shaping the con...

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Main Author: Dorcas Nthoki Nyamai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Politecnico di Torino 2023-11-01
Series:European Journal of Spatial Development
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.polito.it/index.php/EJSD/article/view/325
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author Dorcas Nthoki Nyamai
author_facet Dorcas Nthoki Nyamai
author_sort Dorcas Nthoki Nyamai
collection DOAJ
description Justice in relation to mobility is invoked and performed in various ways. This is based on the premise that space not only contains resources that can be distributed but also consists of individuals who are highly mobile within that space, and whose perceptions play a pivotal role in shaping the concept of justice in relation to mobility. Mobility is an enabler for access to resources and opportunities that are spatially dispersed. However, in Nairobi, the injustices prevalent in the mobility landscape enable access for some users while restricting it for others. This presents a notable way in which justice in relation to urban mobility unfolds. Through sixty-five in-depth interviews with commuters in Nairobi, this research reveals that individuals’ everyday experiences not only present a multifaceted connection between justice and mobility but also shape which specific facet of justice takes precedence in one’s consciousness. Notably, affordability of public transit, police misconduct, safety of non-motorized users, neglect of traffic regulations and ensuing impunity are some of the prominent ways in which injustices in mobility are made manifest. Furthermore, the unclear laws and regulations that govern road use sustain a system riddled with uncertainties and injustices. Promoting transparency, creating platforms for citizen engagement, integrating technology in traffic management system, fostering a culture of accountability, and enhancing public awareness of regulations and mobility rights through comprehensive civic education represent some of the interventions and strategies that can be invoked to redress the injustices prevalent in Nairobi’s mobility landscape.
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spelling doaj.art-9e0fae05ca514a7a85afe7bbe44f83372024-03-29T09:28:31ZengPolitecnico di TorinoEuropean Journal of Spatial Development1650-95442023-11-01201Invoking spatial justice in urban mobility in Nairobi: A commuter’s perspectiveDorcas Nthoki Nyamai0TU DortmundJustice in relation to mobility is invoked and performed in various ways. This is based on the premise that space not only contains resources that can be distributed but also consists of individuals who are highly mobile within that space, and whose perceptions play a pivotal role in shaping the concept of justice in relation to mobility. Mobility is an enabler for access to resources and opportunities that are spatially dispersed. However, in Nairobi, the injustices prevalent in the mobility landscape enable access for some users while restricting it for others. This presents a notable way in which justice in relation to urban mobility unfolds. Through sixty-five in-depth interviews with commuters in Nairobi, this research reveals that individuals’ everyday experiences not only present a multifaceted connection between justice and mobility but also shape which specific facet of justice takes precedence in one’s consciousness. Notably, affordability of public transit, police misconduct, safety of non-motorized users, neglect of traffic regulations and ensuing impunity are some of the prominent ways in which injustices in mobility are made manifest. Furthermore, the unclear laws and regulations that govern road use sustain a system riddled with uncertainties and injustices. Promoting transparency, creating platforms for citizen engagement, integrating technology in traffic management system, fostering a culture of accountability, and enhancing public awareness of regulations and mobility rights through comprehensive civic education represent some of the interventions and strategies that can be invoked to redress the injustices prevalent in Nairobi’s mobility landscape. https://journals.polito.it/index.php/EJSD/article/view/325spatial justiceurban mobilityuser perspectivesNairobi
spellingShingle Dorcas Nthoki Nyamai
Invoking spatial justice in urban mobility in Nairobi: A commuter’s perspective
European Journal of Spatial Development
spatial justice
urban mobility
user perspectives
Nairobi
title Invoking spatial justice in urban mobility in Nairobi: A commuter’s perspective
title_full Invoking spatial justice in urban mobility in Nairobi: A commuter’s perspective
title_fullStr Invoking spatial justice in urban mobility in Nairobi: A commuter’s perspective
title_full_unstemmed Invoking spatial justice in urban mobility in Nairobi: A commuter’s perspective
title_short Invoking spatial justice in urban mobility in Nairobi: A commuter’s perspective
title_sort invoking spatial justice in urban mobility in nairobi a commuter s perspective
topic spatial justice
urban mobility
user perspectives
Nairobi
url https://journals.polito.it/index.php/EJSD/article/view/325
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