The use of public transport was not plannable in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania due to the lack of real time information. The Agency envisaged an app that can provide real-time information and services of transport options for the residents and visitors of Dar es Salaam (including BRT, daladala and shared mobility services and NMT).
© GIZ In preparation of the project, a detailed survey was conducted to understand the users’ needs, choices, and visions for a comprehensive journey planner.
The intention of this data collection was to gain understanding and to create a solid dataset to form the basis for the DAR City Navigator.
Another essential part of the project was the definition of software requirements and the development of the design and the app itself.
To increase usability of the new App, a user manual for the application was developed.
© GIZ The new app’s intention is to ease the use of public transport by providing up-to-date information, to allow inhabitants of Dar es Salaam, especially women, elderly, youth, people with disabilities and other walks of life to move with more predictability.
The DAR City Navigator App was developed with the intention to facilitate the use of public transport. Despite some setbacks in this ambitious project, valuable outcomes and incomes could be achieved:
© GIZ Challenges
In the course of the project, some challenges occurred. Developing an app requires sufficiently trained exerts and the city and other stakeholders have to be well-positioned in the field of digitalization.
In addition to the technical aspect of the app development, collecting and processing the data for the app to be comprehensive and serviceable, proved to be a complex procedure.
Learnings
The experience gained within the project showed that developing a substantial and worthwhile app requires more than technical expertise. Having a solid data set in advance is advisable.
Close cooperation and coordination of all stakeholders involved is necessary to align the process and to identify challenges well in advance.
The development of the DAR City Navigator presented true challenges for all involved stakeholders. The project’s objectives were ambitious, and major issues were identified too late along the process in order to find appropriate solutions. It has become evident that digital projects like the DAR City Navigator require careful preparation and evaluation of the basic pre-requirements, which include solid data and staff capacity for technical implementation as well as for the alignment of the process.
Mechanical Engineer who immediately went into project management within the field of construction; having worked two years in USA and a further five years for GIZ in Africa focused on project implementation. After developing a strong focus on monitoring and controlling, he successfully began managing projects in the field of technical education and capacity building in Asia.
Focus Areas: TUMI Data, TUMI Labs, TUMI E-Bus Mission
The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) works around the world to design and implement high quality transport systems and policy solutions that make cities more livable, equitable, and sustainable. ITDP is a global nonprofit at the forefront of innovation, providing technical expertise to accelerate the growth of sustainable transport and urban development around the world. Through our transport projects, policy advocacy, and research publications, we work to reduce carbon emissions, enhance social inclusion, and improve the quality of life for people in cities.
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GIZ provides services worldwide in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment, energy and the environment, and peace and security. The diverse expertise of our federal enterprise is in demand around the globe, with the German Government, European Union institutions, the United Nations and governments of other countries all benefiting from these services. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is the main commissioning party, but GIZ also works with the private sector, fostering successful interaction between development policy and foreign trade.
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The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is headed by the Minister, Svenja Schulze, the Parliamentary State Secretaries, Dr. Bärbel Kofler and Niels Annen, and the State Secretary, Jochen Flasbarth. When Germany provides a developing country with a low-interest loan, when German experts advise the government of a partner country on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) or when private German organisations carry out projects in developing countries, these are all approaches involving direct development cooperation between Germany and its partners. Besides engaging in such bilateral development cooperation activities, Germany is also involved in activities for the benefit of the developing countries at the international level.
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