Braima Koroma, a researcher from the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre (SLURC), is a member of an international team that has been honored with the 2026 Area Development and Policy Best Paper Award. The prestigious recognition comes from the Regional Studies Association (RSA) for their work on urban mobility. The award acknowledges the team's significant contributions to understanding and addressing challenges in urban development and policy through their research.
The Award-Winning Research
The award-winning research paper is titled “Accessibility, (Dis)advantage and Everyday Mobility Practices and Experiences: The Cases of Maputo and Freetown.” This study investigated urban mobility challenges and experiences in two African cities. The research was published in Area Development and Policy, an academic journal closely associated with the Regional Studies Association. Publication in this journal signifies the work's academic rigor and its relevance to discussions within the field of regional studies and urban development. The paper's focus on Maputo and Freetown provides comparative insights into daily travel patterns and access to opportunities within rapidly developing urban environments.
International Collaboration Details
Braima Koroma co-authored the award-winning paper with an international team of researchers, including Daniel Oviedo, Clémence Cavoli, Alexandria Z. W. Chong, Joaquín Romero de Tejada, and Yasmina Yusuf. Braima Koroma is affiliated with the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre (SLURC), contributing local expertise to the study. The collaboration extends to University College London (UCL), where Daniel Oviedo, Clémence Cavoli, Alexandria Z. W. Chong, and Yasmina Yusuf are affiliated. Completing the international authorship, Joaquín Romero de Tejada is affiliated with the Mozambique Transport and Mobility Observatory. This diverse institutional background shows the collaborative nature of the research that earned the 2026 Area Development and Policy Best Paper Award from the Regional Studies Association. The joint effort brought together varied perspectives and data from different regions, enriching the study's findings on urban mobility practices.
Significance of the Recognition
The Regional Studies Association's (RSA) 2026 awards programme specifically acknowledges research deemed original and inspiring. This framework is designed to honor studies that significantly advance the understanding of critical regional development issues. The recognition of the paper “Accessibility, (Dis)advantage and Everyday Mobility Practices and Experiences: The Cases of Maputo and Freetown” shows its perceived contribution to this field. The award signals the research's impact on ongoing discussions surrounding urban mobility challenges and policy solutions within rapidly developing contexts. Such accolades from the RSA highlight scholarly work that offers valuable insights for both academic discourse and practical application in urban planning.
Broader Implications for Urban Studies
The research examined how mobility challenges, access to transportation, and related inequalities affect residents in two specific urban environments. The study focused on Freetown in Sierra Leone and Maputo in Mozambique, providing a detailed analysis of the daily experiences of their populations. This comparative approach offers insights into the distinct yet often similar hurdles faced by individuals in rapidly developing cities across different regions. Understanding these localized impacts is key for developing targeted urban planning and policy interventions that address the specific needs of diverse communities. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of urban dynamics beyond the scope of individual cities.
