Villes africaines: Mobilités et transports urbains

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne via Coursera

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/mobilite-afrique

Introduction

**Course Review: “Villes africaines: Mobilités et transports urbains” on Coursera** As cities across Africa continue to evolve, understanding the complex dynamics of urban mobility is paramount. The course, “Villes africaines: Mobilités et transports urbains,” offers an insightful exploration of urban transportation systems within Africa's rapidly growing metropolitan regions. Developed for urban planners, transport professionals, and anyone interested in the sustainable development of cities, this course provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the challenges and opportunities presented by urban mobility in Africa. ### Course Overview The course begins by acknowledging the unprecedented demographic and spatial growth experienced by African cities since the latter half of the 20th century. This expansion has led to increasing demands for mobility, as people seek to connect increasingly distant locales. Throughout the course, participants will delve into a range of topics, from the historical context of urban mobility to contemporary practices and future strategies. ### Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Context and Conceptual Reminders**: The course opens with an essential overview of fundamental concepts and contextualizes urban mobility within the socio-political and economic landscape of 21st-century African cities. This section is crucial for understanding the historical processes that have shaped current mobility practices. 2. **Urban Transport Systems: Service Offerings and Actor Dynamics**: The second module examines how transportation service offerings in African cities have shifted from public to private sectors. This exploration highlights the role of key stakeholders in shaping transportation systems and reveals the complexities involved in managing urban transport. 3. **Urban Mobility Practices**: This module focuses on the behaviors and strategies associated with urban mobility, analyzing factors such as gender, lifecycle stage, income level, and residential location. By understanding these determinants, participants learn about the nuances that drive mobility in various contexts across African cities. 4. **Urban Mobility Policies**: The fourth section addresses the strategic responses developed by policymakers to meet urban mobility needs. It emphasizes the interplay between public action, development partners, and local actors, providing insights into how effective urban mobility solutions can be crafted. 5. **Finalization**: The course wraps up with an evaluation component, where participants assess their peers' application exercises and complete a final quiz. This not only reinforces learning but also encourages community engagement among students. ### Prospective Benefits The course is designed to equip learners with the skills and knowledge needed to analyze and improve urban mobility in African contexts effectively. By unpacking the various dimensions of urban transport—from systems and practices to governance—it empowers participants to contribute to sustainable urban planning and development efforts. ### Who Should Take This Course? “Villes africaines: Mobilités et transports urbains” is ideal for urban planners, transportation engineers, policy-makers, environmentalists, and academics interested in the unique challenges posed by mobility in developing urban environments. It is also suitable for anyone keen to understand the transformation of urban spaces in Africa. ### Conclusion: A Strong Recommendation Given the pressing issues surrounding urban transport in Africa, this course is a vital resource for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in this field. The structured syllabus, combined with expert insights and practical applications, makes it a compelling choice for learners. I wholeheartedly recommend “Villes africaines: Mobilités et transports urbains” on Coursera for those eager to explore the future of urban mobility in African cities and foster transformative approaches to urban planning.

Syllabus

Contexte et rappels conceptuels

Cette première partie a un double objet : d’une part, rappeler brièvement quelques concepts de base et, d’autre part, camper le décor à la fois spatial, politique, économique et spatial dans lequel se déroulent les mobilités dans les villes africaines au début du 21ème siècle.

Le système de transport urbain : l’offre de services et le jeu des acteurs

La deuxième partie porte sur l’évolution de l’offre de service de transport dans les villes africaines passant des mains du public au privé. Elle met l’accent sur les processus et le jeu des acteurs.

Pratiques de mobilité urbaine

Dans cette troisième partie sur les pratiques de mobilités urbaines en Afrique, nous abordons les comportements et stratégies de mobilités. Ils sont étudiés selon les déterminants des ruptures de la vie quotidienne : le sexe, le cycle de vie, le niveau de vie et le lieu de résidence.

Politiques de mobilité urbaine

Cette quatrième partie est consacrée aux stratégies développées par les politiques pour répondre aux besoins de mobilité urbaine. Elle appréhende l’action publique dans ses rapports avec les interventions des partenaires au développement et les acteurs locaux.

Finalisation

Durant cette semaine, vous devez évaluer l'exercice d'application de vos camarades et répondre au Quiz final.