SESIA of the Lake Victoria Transport Programme (original) (raw)

In summary, the impacts on the VECs which can be directly attributed to the development of the transport system are not significant. The transport system, however, functions as a key facilitator for some of the main stressors on the ecosystems of the basin. Hence, strategic development of the transport system has the potential to mitigate some of the impacts which are assessed here. Conclusions and recommendations Transport system development cause multiple environmental and social impacts. Developing the transport system for goods and passengers in the region can be a way to reduce the overall impacts from the regional transport sector and its current trend of development. The aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems with associated ecosystem services in the Lake Victoria Basin are under pressure from multiple stressors, with the predicted population growth, changes in demographic distribution, and increasing demand for resources as dominant stressors. Future rural and urban development will not occur irrespectively of access to transport and mobility. Hence, the transport system development with associated planning of infrastructure has the potential to exacerbate the impact from other stressors. Hence, impacts from transport system development should not only be seen as standalone and related to particular infrastructure, but also as a factor that is interconnected with other stressors. Therefore, regional planning of the future transport system needs integration with regional strategic planning of future land and lake use.