Smart urban planning and implementation of sustainable cities in Rwanda, a case of Kigali city

Abstract

The study was about effectiveness of smart urban planning on the implementation of sustainable cities in Rwanda with Kigali city as the case study. The study was guided by the following objectives, to establish the influence of Smart Mobility Initiatives on successful implementation of sustainable cities in Kigali city, to examine the influence of Smart Governance Initiatives on successful implementation of sustainable cities in Kigali city and to establish the influence of Smart Building Initiatives on successful implementation of sustainable cities in Kigali city. The study employed a descriptive survey research aimed at describing the effectiveness of smart urban planning on implementation of sustainable cities in Rwanda. Quantitative and qualitative research approaches using a case study was followed. A sample of 196 from a population of 400 was used for the study in accordance with Krejcie and Morgan (1970). Both questionnaire surveys and interviews were used in this study since they were less time-consuming and provided respondents more freedom to react how they were most comfortable. The data collection instruments included Self-administered Questionnaires and interview Guide. The findings indicated that the positive perception of smart mobility initiatives in Kigali city underscores their pivotal role in enhancing urban mobility and contributing to the development of a sustainable city. Intelligent traffic management systems are highly regarded for their ability to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow, leading to smoother and more efficient transportation patterns, smart governance initiatives in Kigali city highlights the critical role of digital tools and technologies in enhancing urban planning, governance, and sustainability and smart building initiatives in Kigali city reflects a deep commitment to enhancing urban sustainability through the adoption of advanced building technologies and practices. The study recommended that Kigali should prioritize increased investment in integrating renewable energy sources into public transportation systems, Kigali should consider expanding bus routes, increasing the frequency of services, and improving connectivity between different transit modes to encourage more residents to use public transportation over private vehicles and establishing clear guidelines and support mechanisms for public-private partnerships can drive innovation and investment in sustainable urban development and lastly Kigali should promote the use of advanced building management systems and sustainable materials in new construction and retrofitting projects.