Urban planners have suggested different parts of Kigali city where more car-free zones can be created.

The suggestion follows the successful establishment of two car-free zones; CBD car-free zone known as Imbuga City Walk as well as Biryogo Car Free zone.

"Car-free zone is one of the aspects of reducing traffic emissions in Kigali. The mobile air monitoring showed some air pollution hotspots in Remera, Gisimenti, Kimironko, Kicukiro, some parts of Ndera, Masaka, and some parts of Nyabugogo as well. These are air pollution hotspots as data demonstrated where car-free zones can be created,” said Egide Kalisa, a researcher who focuses on urbanisation and air pollution in urban areas.

He said that the car-free zone initiative should go with car-free days and promote cycling, walking as well as public transport.

"Another justification on why those zones are needed is that, our research recently showed that pedestrians and cyclists are more affected by air pollution than those with cars. So those car zones at least will help them,” he said.

Kalisa said he is carrying out research that will identify all places with potential to have car free zones.

Jossam Potel, Land Expert and Research Fellow at IPAR-Rwanda-a research organisation, said that in Kigali, such zones should be increased and introduced to different zones including Remera-Giporoso (The Corridor), Kicukiro Centre, Kibagabaga, Kanombe in Nyarugunga sector among others.

"Kigali, like many cities in the world, has to be enjoyed by its inhabitants. Innovative ideas have to be created; among which are car-free zones. These zones allow the residents to live big, bold, have picnics parties, street parties, street art, dancing, singing, moving and sports, and connecting,” he noted.

However, he argued; "Setting up a car-free zone requires planning, from picking a date and time for the car-free event, residents’ views, involving business partners in the area under the plan, and engaging partners like Police to draw up the traffic diversion plan.”

Vedaste Uwayisenga, an urban planner, added that as the city grows, there is a need to have more car-free zones.

"They are needed especially in the very congested areas (commercial centres). It is crucial to the urban residents, especially for Kigali dwellers, as the city experiences unprecedented urban growth,” he said.

He said that having more centres that are care-free would promote sustainable urban mobility in those areas.

However, he noted that establishing more car-free zones should be carefully planned to avoid potential high costs.

"For example, a plan is needed to avoid the loss of business due to the inaccessibility of that zone,” Uwayisenga said, adding that zones like Kabuga, Kicukiro, and Gikondo need car-free zones and public spaces.

According to Architect Josephine Malonza, there is a need for promoting car-free zones in cities and new spaces for togetherness.

"Streets all over the world are important symbols of the public realm, as they constitute a significant part of open public space for human activities; they are potentially able to cater to the functional, social, and recreational needs of people,” she said.

She added that pedestrianised streets within urban areas include improved safety, social cohesion, lower carbon emissions, less air pollution, and fewer road traffic accidents to ensure green cities.

"This development is especially valuable since the more vulnerable members of society – low-income earners without cars, people living with disabilities, children, and women – suffer most from traffic-related challenges in cities, be it the harmful effects of air pollution,” she added.

Commenting on the demand for more car-free zones, Solange Muhirwa, the Chief of Urban Planning at the City of Kigali, told The New Times that the city master plan recommends the creation of car-free zones but explained that currently, there is no plan to create more car-free zones this physical year due to a limited budget.

"Currently, we are only considering public spaces which can be set up on idle land and communities,” she said.

She said that although there are no plans to create more car-free zones this fiscal year, the city is carrying out an analysis to know where more car-free zones should be established.

"As we upgrade informal settlements, we will also create car-free zones and public spaces to ensure recreational purposes. This requires analysing traffic so as to create proper solutions,” she said.