From 16 to 19 October, the City of Kigali in partnership with the University of Rwanda hosted the 23^rd International Walk21 Conference on Walking and Liveable Communities, the first of its kind on the African Continent that was organised by Walk21 Foundation and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The aim of the meeting was to exchange on affordable steps to improve  walkability in cities. During the four days meeting, experts shared knowledge on how to develop and implement walking policies and programmes that deliver walkable communities and safer streets, broader community participation and enhance the value of walking.  

Speaking at the closing of the conference, the City of Kigali Mayor Pudence Rubingisa said that the City of Kigali have consistently focused on improving walkability, from creating car-free zones to endorsing car-free days and ensuring safer pedestrian pathways.

“Urban planning needs to be inclusive and responsive to the needs of local communities and build on participatory approaches that foster the engagement of marginalized actors while advancing access to basic services such as equitable, accessible transport among others,” the City of Kigali Mayor stated.

Bronwen Thornton, Chief Executive Officer of Walk21 Foundation said that she was impressed by the level of engagement during the conference and participants turn out.

“Walk21 Kigali exceeded our expectations. The breadth of topics covered and the level of engagement from across Africa, with government officers, academics and civil society attending, as well as a strong turnout from local students, created a rich and engaging conference. We hope this will be a turning point for recognizing the importance of walking and fostering greater support and investment in better streets and neighbourhoods for people walking,” said Bronwen Thornton.

Participants committed to improve their walking in order to improve their health.

“Even small increases in physical activity, like taking short walks can enhance heart health. Regular movement helps lower the risk of heart disease, reduces blood pressure, and improves blood circulation. Commit to walk everyday for healthy lifestyle,” tweeted John Peter.  

The following themes were covered during four days:

• Improving road safety for people walking;
• Planning for walking in low-income neighborhoods;
• Building walking policy actions to reach the Sustainable Development Goals and climate goals;
• Financing and governance models for supporting walking infrastructure.

The 23^rd International Walk21 Conference on Walking and Liveable Communities gathered more than 500 delegates from 43 countries. They explored road safety interventions and the car free zones in Kigali, debated how to finance interventions and improve walkability across our cities, from downtown, to school streets and peri-urban areas.  The next year's conference will take place in Lisbon, the Capital City of Portugal