Go to AfricaBib home

Go to AfricaBib home AfricaBib Go to database home

bibliographic database
Line
Previous page New search

The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here

Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Solving Transportation Problems in African Cities: Innovative Responses by the Youth of Douala, Cameroon
Author:Konings, PietISNI
Year:2006
Periodical:Africa Today
Volume:53
Issue:1
Period:Fall
Pages:35-50
Language:English
Geographic term:Cameroon
Subjects:urban youth
transport workers
neighbourhoods
Urbanization and Migration
Development and Technology
Labor and Employment
External link:http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/africa_today/v053/53.1konings.pdf
Abstract:Young people have been among the most seriously affected by the current economic crisis in Africa. This study focuses on responses by young people in Cameroon. The youth of New Bell, one of the largest and poorest immigrant quarters in Douala, have devised two innovative activities: one, commonly known as 'bendskin', is the use of motorbikes as taxis; the other, 'pousse-pousse', is the use of handcarts for transporting merchandise. These activities not only secure a sustainable livelihood and a feeling of self-esteem, but also make a contribution to solving the neighbourhood's transportation problems. Bendskin drivers and pousseurs (handcart operators) are usually organized in small groups along ethnic and friendship lines, and form a social and spatial 'neighborhood' within New Bell. Nevertheless, they have proved themselves capable of transcending group boundaries, and they rally round when outsiders, such as other road users and even the police, threaten their colleagues or their common interests. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]
Views
Cover