Building Safer Streets in Dakar, Senegal

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Building Safer Streets in Dakar, Senegal

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Block by Block partnered with UN-Habitat and local organizations to co-design pedestrian-friendly streets that improve mobility and safety in Dakar, Senegal.

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Building Safer Streets in Dakar, Senegal 

Background

In Dakar, Senegal, walking is the primary mode of transport for 70% of residents, yet less than 5% of public space initiatives address pedestrian needs. The rapid urbanization of this bustling West African capital has created significant challenges for public transport and mobility systems. Despite the fact that most residents rely on their feet to navigate the city, proper sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure remain largely non-existent, compromising safety as motorized transport dominates the streets.

Transport challenges in Dakar, Senegal © Kafune

The Dakar Urban Nursery project emerged as an innovative response to these challenges. Funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and UN-Habitat, this initiative focused on citizen participation in developing public transport infrastructure that truly meets local needs. The project complemented larger transportation improvements like the Regional Express Train and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, ensuring that the connections between these major transit hubs and neighborhoods would be safe and accessible for pedestrians.

Building Safer Streets, Block by Block

Transforming busy urban streets into safe pedestrian pathways requires bringing the community directly into the design process. The project team selected two key streets in Dakar for upgrade: one in the Unit 4 neighborhood near a BRT station, and another adjacent to Lycée des Parcelles Assainies.

Unit 4 project site before the design intervention

The Unit 4 site was particularly strategic, located near a major BRT station where improving pedestrian access could enhance connectivity across the city. To facilitate community input, the team transformed a ceremonial tent into a mobile computer lab. Over three sessions, 90 community members—including women, youth, and people with mobility challenges—shared their vision for safer, more accessible streets using Minecraft.

Community engagement sessions

At Lycée des Parcelles Assainies, the team worked directly with high school students in the school's computer room, conducting six co-design sessions with 78 participants. The young people were able to express their ideas for improving the street that leads to their school and provides access to the BRT station. To engage local shopkeepers whose businesses would be impacted, the team created a film highlighting the challenges of navigating streets with inadequate infrastructure and dangerous traffic.

Local residents during the Minecraft co-design session

Progress

The community's vision became reality through targeted interventions that prioritized pedestrian mobility, waste management, and beautification. In the Unit 4 neighborhood, the narrow alleyway—constrained to just 6 meters wide—was transformed with solar lighting, permeable paving for better drainage, and locally-made flower pots and garbage bins created from recycled materials.

“With these sidewalks, I prefer using this alley to catch my bus—it keeps my shoes clean.”
— Fadiama, Local resident

The local community organization PRODEV4 played a crucial role not only in the design process but also in ensuring sustainability by taking responsibility for maintaining the flower pots and waste management systems. Since the project's completion, the alley has become a key pedestrian route, especially for students heading to schools near the BRT station.

Pproject site after the design interventions

“I am committed to ensuring the watering and protection of the flowers in order to ensure their development and the sustainability of this beautiful project that has beautified and enhanced our alley.”
— Penda Ndiaye, Resource person for the alley

At Lycée des Parcelles Assainies, the improvements focused on creating safer pedestrian pathways while harmonizing the space for diverse users including pedestrians, cars, and public transport. The development included reforestation efforts with nearly 350 flowers of four species planted around the school courtyard, along with murals promoting community education, road safety, and environmental preservation.

The impact extends beyond improved infrastructure. Neighboring communities have taken notice of the transformation and hope similar initiatives will extend to their areas. The collaboration between residents, students, and the project team has fostered a deep sense of ownership and commitment to maintaining these spaces for future generations.

“I am delighted with the inclusive nature of this project, which was demonstrated by the perfect involvement of all the project stakeholders from the identification phase to this inauguration day.”
— Mamadou Diop, Neighborhood delegate