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Rethinking Automobile Dependency in Sub-Saharan Africa: Toward Sustainable Urban Planning in Cameroon

Received: 3 April 2025     Accepted: 18 April 2025     Published: 19 May 2025
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Abstract

Rapid urbanization and increased motorization are prevalent in Sub-Saharan African cities, where automobiles have become the primary mode of transportation. This reliance has resulted in significant challenges, including traffic congestion, air pollution, and limited access to public spaces. In response, there is an urgent need to reevaluate the role of automobiles in the sustainable urban planning of cities in the Global South. This paper (i) identifies the causes of automobile dependency in selected cities in Cameroon, (ii) examines the impact of automobile usage on the urban environment, and (iii) proposes solutions to reduce automobile dependency. Through 380 surveys and 15 in-depth interviews, the researchers gathered data from residents in four Cameroon cities: Yaoundé, Douala, Bamenda, and Bafoussam, and engaged city stakeholders, including mayors, transport syndicate leaders, and traffic officers to gain insights and perspectives crucial for effective urban transportation solutions. The findings highlight the necessity of reimagining transportation policies and infrastructure in Cameroonian cities to foster more livable, resilient, and inclusive urban environments. By challenging the perception of automobiles as symbols of progress, this research advocates for a holistic urban planning approach that prioritizes the needs of the community and the urban environment in Cameroon.

Published in International Journal of Transportation Engineering and Technology (Volume 11, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijtet.20251102.11
Page(s) 47-63
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Rethinking, Automobiles, Sustainability, Urban Planning, Cameroon Cities

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  • APA Style

    Kuma, C. J., Gideon, S., Kinyui, N. I. (2025). Rethinking Automobile Dependency in Sub-Saharan Africa: Toward Sustainable Urban Planning in Cameroon. International Journal of Transportation Engineering and Technology, 11(2), 47-63. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijtet.20251102.11

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    ACS Style

    Kuma, C. J.; Gideon, S.; Kinyui, N. I. Rethinking Automobile Dependency in Sub-Saharan Africa: Toward Sustainable Urban Planning in Cameroon. Int. J. Transp. Eng. Technol. 2025, 11(2), 47-63. doi: 10.11648/j.ijtet.20251102.11

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    AMA Style

    Kuma CJ, Gideon S, Kinyui NI. Rethinking Automobile Dependency in Sub-Saharan Africa: Toward Sustainable Urban Planning in Cameroon. Int J Transp Eng Technol. 2025;11(2):47-63. doi: 10.11648/j.ijtet.20251102.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijtet.20251102.11,
      author = {Chianebeng Japhet Kuma and Samba Gideon and Nyiniwou Ismaila Kinyui},
      title = {Rethinking Automobile Dependency in Sub-Saharan Africa: Toward Sustainable Urban Planning in Cameroon
    },
      journal = {International Journal of Transportation Engineering and Technology},
      volume = {11},
      number = {2},
      pages = {47-63},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijtet.20251102.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijtet.20251102.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijtet.20251102.11},
      abstract = {Rapid urbanization and increased motorization are prevalent in Sub-Saharan African cities, where automobiles have become the primary mode of transportation. This reliance has resulted in significant challenges, including traffic congestion, air pollution, and limited access to public spaces. In response, there is an urgent need to reevaluate the role of automobiles in the sustainable urban planning of cities in the Global South. This paper (i) identifies the causes of automobile dependency in selected cities in Cameroon, (ii) examines the impact of automobile usage on the urban environment, and (iii) proposes solutions to reduce automobile dependency. Through 380 surveys and 15 in-depth interviews, the researchers gathered data from residents in four Cameroon cities: Yaoundé, Douala, Bamenda, and Bafoussam, and engaged city stakeholders, including mayors, transport syndicate leaders, and traffic officers to gain insights and perspectives crucial for effective urban transportation solutions. The findings highlight the necessity of reimagining transportation policies and infrastructure in Cameroonian cities to foster more livable, resilient, and inclusive urban environments. By challenging the perception of automobiles as symbols of progress, this research advocates for a holistic urban planning approach that prioritizes the needs of the community and the urban environment in Cameroon.
    },
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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    T1  - Rethinking Automobile Dependency in Sub-Saharan Africa: Toward Sustainable Urban Planning in Cameroon
    
    AU  - Chianebeng Japhet Kuma
    AU  - Samba Gideon
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijtet.20251102.11
    T2  - International Journal of Transportation Engineering and Technology
    JF  - International Journal of Transportation Engineering and Technology
    JO  - International Journal of Transportation Engineering and Technology
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    PB  - Science Publishing Group
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    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijtet.20251102.11
    AB  - Rapid urbanization and increased motorization are prevalent in Sub-Saharan African cities, where automobiles have become the primary mode of transportation. This reliance has resulted in significant challenges, including traffic congestion, air pollution, and limited access to public spaces. In response, there is an urgent need to reevaluate the role of automobiles in the sustainable urban planning of cities in the Global South. This paper (i) identifies the causes of automobile dependency in selected cities in Cameroon, (ii) examines the impact of automobile usage on the urban environment, and (iii) proposes solutions to reduce automobile dependency. Through 380 surveys and 15 in-depth interviews, the researchers gathered data from residents in four Cameroon cities: Yaoundé, Douala, Bamenda, and Bafoussam, and engaged city stakeholders, including mayors, transport syndicate leaders, and traffic officers to gain insights and perspectives crucial for effective urban transportation solutions. The findings highlight the necessity of reimagining transportation policies and infrastructure in Cameroonian cities to foster more livable, resilient, and inclusive urban environments. By challenging the perception of automobiles as symbols of progress, this research advocates for a holistic urban planning approach that prioritizes the needs of the community and the urban environment in Cameroon.
    
    VL  - 11
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Geography and Planning, The University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon

  • Department of Geography-HTTC, The University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon

  • Department of Geography, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

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