Exciting future must include better roads

From Global development | The Guardian Thu Dec 20 2012, 07:00:01

While safety is discussed in the conference rooms of five-star hotels, out on Dar es Salaam's roads people die every day

A group of academics at Tanzania's Ardhi University this year produced a masterplan for the transformation of Dar es Salaam into one of Africa's next megacities. Their inspiration was Singapore, with its ambitious building projects, skyscrapers, bridges and ringroads.

Dar is already one of Africa's boomtowns - it is the second-fastest-growing city in Africa after Lagos, forecast to double in size to more than 7 million people by 2025. And it contributes around 40% of Tanzania's GDP, which is growing by more than 7% each year.

Yet while Dar es Salaam might aspire to be the next Singapore, the differences between the two cities are starkly apparent when it comes to the number of people who die on their roads. At least 480 people were killed on the streets of Tanzania's commercial capital last year. In Singapore, 195 lost their lives, even though Singapore has a population of about 5 million, compared with Dar's 3.5 million.

[view whole blog post ]
 See More    |     Report Abuse


You might also be interested in the following news stories:

Tanzania:  President to Lead Tanzanians in Prayers for Fallen Sokoine (news)
Tanzania Daily News
29 Mars 2024

PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to lead top government officials and other delegates at special national prayers to commemorate 40 years since the abrupt demise of former Prime Minister, ... [read more]

Tanzania:  Goods, Services Imports Decline (news)
Tanzania Daily News
29 Mars 2024

IMPORTS of goods and services declined to 16,054.3 million US dollars in the period ending January this year from 16,784.6 million US dollars in the previous year, driven by a decrease in goods ... [read more]

Afrique:  Le Chef du gouvernement préside une séance de travail ministérielle consacrée au suivi du dossier de Snipe-La Presse et Dar Assabah - Réaliser la fusion dans les plus brefs délais (news)
La Presse
28 Mars 2024

Le Conseil a pris connaissance des résultats des travaux des différentes équipes chargées de la restructuration des deux entreprises et a discuté des ... [read more]



blogAfrica is allAfrica.com's platform to help you keep an ear on the African blogosphere. We draw diverse voices from around the world who post regularly and insightfully about African issues. Bloggers, submit your blog's rss-feed!