Transit-oriented development: Planning for diversity and social inclusion

19 September 2025 /
Blog

To address the challenges and opportunities in implementing transit-oriented development (TOD) in African cities, the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), with support from the International Climate Initiative (IKI) and High-Volume Transport Programme (HVT) organised a conference under the theme Transit-Oriented Development: Planning for Diversity and Social Inclusion, in Kigali, Rwanda. The conference, held from 19-21 October 2022, brought together 70 transport, urban planning, and affordable housing experts from Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
 
In his opening statement, Vice Mayor of Urbanisation and Infrastructure Dr Merard Mpabwanamaguru welcomed the delegates to Kigali and outlined key strategic initiatives of the city. These include the adoption of the Kigali Master Plan 2050, which defines public transport corridors anchored by bus rapid transit (BRT); zoning regulations ensuring dense, mixed-use developments along those transport corridors; and pedestrian-friendly built-form guidelines. Together, these policies aim to ensure that 80 percent of urban residents are within 500 m of frequent public transport services.
 
Latest Knowledge resources
View all

Urban Sustainability Framework

The Urban Sustainability Framework (USF) is a practical tool developed by the Global Platform for Sustainable Cities (GPSC) to help cities plan, finance, and implement integrated sustainability strategies. Designed for policymakers and practitioners, the USF supports cities in moving beyond sector-by-sector planning toward a holistic approach that balances economic growth, environmental stewardship, and social inclusion. At its core, the USF helps cities answer three fundamental questions: Where are we now? Where do we want to go? How do we get

Learn more

Climate

The city-industry-climate nexus: Cities as engines of global net-zero transitions in a shifting world

By 2050, almost two-thirds of the world’s population will live in cities, which already consume most of the world’s energy and emit the majority of greenhouse gases. This makes urban areas central to both the causes of climate change and the solutions. The white paper argues that decarbonizing cities is not only environmental policy, but a strategic industrial agenda. It introduces the “city-industry-climate nexus,” where infrastructure, production systems, value chains, and climate action converge. Cities host the industries that supply

Report

Learn more

DOWNLOADS