Comparative assessment of accessibility to mandatory and discretionary activities: the case study of informal settlements in Dar es Salaam

In rapidly growing cities in sub-Saharan Africa, informal settlements face barriers to services due to poor transportation infrastructure, high costs, and unreliable mobility. This study examines accessibility to mandatory destinations – workplaces, schools, and healthcare facilities – and discretionary ones – markets, places of worship, and social visits, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A mixed-methods approach combines survey data with structural equation modelling (SEM) to assess the influence of travel time, cost, transport mode, safety, and socio-demographic characteristics on access. Results show that long walking distances, extended travel time, and high costs significantly limit workplace access, while motorcycles and private vehicles improve it. Discretionary trips are more strongly influenced by perceptions of safety, comfort, and reliability. Walking, though common, is associated with lower accessibility for both trip types due to poor infrastructure and safety issues. Findings also reveal gendered and income-based disparities, with women and low-income groups facing greater challenges. Framed within the 15-minute city concept and environmental constraints such as thermal comfort, the study underscores the urgency of affordable mobility, safe pedestrian networks, and context-sensitive services to foster equitable accessibility in informal settlements.