A history of public road transport in Lusaka, 1889-1987
Loading...
Date
2011-10-07
Authors
Nanchengwa, Lilian Kasamba Kaoma
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This dissertation traces the development of road passenger public transport in Lusaka from the colonial to the post-colonial period. It examines interventionist
measures taken by the state to deal with the persistent public transport crisis. The general belief has been that constraints of public transport are a result of failed
policy and practice in the post-colonial era. It is my thesis that what appears out of control today has an explanation and can be traced back to its origins. The
present-day situation originated from the manner in which Lusaka was created as a town. Lusaka was constructed to serve the interests of a colonial European settler community,in isolation from indigenous people. With the collapse of colonialism this pattern changed, resulting in a new orientation for the growth of Lusaka.
The first chapter covers the period 1889 to 1939. It shows the incorporation of Zambia into the European dominated colonial capitalist economy, the early development of Lusaka,the role of monopoly capital and its development, colonial urbanization and the birth of public transportation. Chapter
two covers the period from 1939 down to 1959. It shows the impact of World War II, the Federation and African nationalism
on Zambia's social development and the growth of Lusaka. It also looks at the introduction of franchise in public transport
and early organized public transport in Lusaka. Chapter three covers the 1960 to 1971 period. It examines the effect of political independence on public transport through the relaxation of urban settlement laws and state control of major industries. The last chapter covers the period from
1972 to 1980. This section looks at the impact of state control on public transport and examines how successful the state was in correcting the crisis.My conclusion is that though today's crisis could be traced to the way Lusaka came into being, it has persisted
because there has been no radical departure from the colonial pattern. Just as colonial transportation was fashioned to serve a small European settler community, the management of post-col on,i a 1 transport has also been elitist, with little emphasis on mass modes of transport. With transport not in the hands of people who use it, decisions taken overlook people's needs. Thus any outside changes affect them most
d i rect1y.Finally, Lusaka has not changed fundamentally from the colonial set up. The hands of power have definitely changed
but the social structure, as the dissertation attempts to demonstrate has remained much the same.
Description
Keywords
Transpotation-Automotive--History--lusaka--Zambia