SPIDER and IVL in investment in sustainable transport in Rwanda
SPIDER at Stockholm University and IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute will jointly implement a training program on the design and development of safe, smart and sustainable transport in Rwanda. The project is funded by the Swedish Institute and the investment is ongoing for one year starting in September 2021.
An important aspect of the training program is to share experiences and good examples of smart public transport solutions and sustainable urban traffic planning. The vision for the capital Kigali is increased accessibility to public transport, various types of sharing services with electric vehicles and other electrified mobility solutions. Expansion of cycle paths and sidewalks is also an important part.
– We at SPIDER have a long history of collaboration on various types of digital initiatives in Rwanda. It is fun to be able to deepen this collaboration, and the competence from IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute is crucial to support the local institutions in building a safe and climate-efficient transport system, says John Owuor, head of SPIDER.
The opportunities to increase capacity with new smart technology and create safer and more efficient transport solutions have increased sharply, and with it the conditions for transport planners and transport suppliers to design and plan efficient systems and business models.
– Today, the use of mobile phones is widespread in Rwanda, which creates opportunities for new mobility services. We also see how electric vehicles can now be seen in the cityscape. Both trends are increasing and the education project intends to support and provide additional knowledge for the officials in Kigali to plan and support this development, says Mathias Gustavsson, researcher and project manager at IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute.
SPIDER is an independent center linked to the Department of Computer Science at Stockholm University with a focus on digitization in international development processes and sustainability work.
The project is funded by the Swedish Institute's Public Sector Innovation Program. Within the framework of the program, universities and colleges conduct eight educations aimed at civil servants and elected representatives in the public sector in about twenty countries. The aim is to train people who can contribute to innovation and renewal in the public sector and support the implementation of Agenda 2030 and the global goals for sustainable development.
For more information, please contact:
Mathias Gustavsson, mathias.gustavsson@ivl.se, +46 (0)10 788 65 68
Petra Rindby, petra@spidercenter.org, +46 (0)8-16 17 04