Transport Node Markets a Study of Emerging Relationships Between Matatu Stages and Informal Markets: the Case of Mombasa

Abstract

Transport infrastructure has been known to influence land use patterns which directly mould mobility behaviour. Globally, it is common to find commercial activities around and within different modes of transport; air, road, rail and sea. In Africa, bus terminals are focal points for attracting growth of markets. Bus stations serve as gateways between urban and rural areas and contribute to the wider economy as they take up an essential role in sustaining trade, commerce and exchange, providing people with a living. Bus stations commonly known as matatu stages in Kenya are among the most paramount sites of everyday economic and social activity. For the larger population in Kenya, motorized transport, railway travel, air travel and private transport is largely restricted, either in terms functionality, accessibility, and affordability. Transport node markets in Kenya exist mainly around Matatu stages. The purpose of this study was to determine the emerging relationship between transport nodes (matatu stages) and informal markets. This was done by assessing the existing condition and situation of three major transport nodes in the city of Mombasa. The research reviewed literature on Public Transport Systems, the Nature of a Transport Interchange and Bus station design considerations. It also looked at Urban design qualities that contribute to the success of public transport systems. The study also briefly looked at the types of commercial activities globally across all modes of transport; from airport stations, waterfronts, railway stations and bus stops. Literature that dealt with underlying dynamics of informality, categories of informalities and characteristics of informal trade activities was also reviewed. Two case studies were selected based on the two phenomena in study; the transport node and the informal street traders. A review on facilitating street vendors in Indian cities gave urban design interventions on inclusive design for street traders while the cases studied on BRT stations in Dar es Salaam gave a brief overview of the influence of transport nodes to informal street markets. Based on the literature studied a conceptual framework was derived. The research methodology is based on the conceptual framework of the “Grounded theory”. The study focused on Buxton Matatu stage, Ferry Matatu stage and Likoni Matatu stage on the island and mainland of Mombasa. Due to this methodological approach and exploratory nature of the research, qualitative methods were employed for data collection and analysis. Primary and secondary data were used in the study. Raw data was collected using field survey, interviews, observation, photography, sketching and note-taking. Google earth was used to analyse the spatial aspects of the area, the distribution of neighbouring land uses and streets morphology that directs people to the area of study. The study found that the success of the transport node markets was influenced by the location of the matatu stage, the neighbouring land uses, presence of land marks, accessibility to different transport services and visibility to the streets among others. Some of the street trading activities were found to have a direct relationship to the matatu stage and act as fixtures to the urban transport system. The study also categorised the street traders in terms of their flexibility within and around the transport node. Based on the positive aspects picked from the literature reviewed and cases studied, a number of urban design guidelines were proposed towards a harmonious co-existence between transport node and related informal street markets in the city of Mombasa. The proposed guidelines can also be adopted by cities with similar characteristics to Mombasa.