SUSTAINABLE URBAN TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN THIRD WORLD CITIES: THE CASE OF BULAWAYO CITY IN ZIMBABWE

Urban transport is very crucial for the movement of goods and people which marks the backbone of the economy and sustainable development. Rapid urbanisation in developing countries has resulted in transport facilities and infrastructure failing to cope up with the huge demand and this resulted in traffic congestion, delays in movement, high travel costs, noise and air pollution and road carnage which negatively affected the rate of economic development. Traffic had to a greater extent contributed to global warming which is causing climate change thereby distorting the environment and undermining it for the future generations. This paper examines the rapid ownership of cars in Zimbabwe’s second largest city of Bulawayo and how this is influencing the smooth flow of traffic. Traffic management is very crucial for the efficient movement of goods and people especially in the urban areas. The research examined how traffic management strategies helps improve the flow of traffic which in turn reduces congestion, environmental pollution and thereby creating a concussive working and traveling environment for sustainable development in developing countries. This research goes into detail in recommending how city planners can improve the road network, traffic and parking facilities to avoid inconveniencing road users as well as to reduce carnage on the roads. The proper planning of road networks in cities goes a long way in promoting sustainable development especially in developing countries. Environment protection is tackled also in the paper which highlights ways in which traffic affects the environment and how the damage can be reduced. Primary and secondary data were collected from the field, city council, government ministries and the Zimbabwe Republic Police and they were analysed and tabulated. Extensive literature review was also done on researches conducted in other countries. The research concluded that there is an increase in car ownership in the city of Bulawayo and this is posing traffic problems like congestion, delays in movement, road traffic accidents as well as polluting the environment.