working with community to improve active transportation infrastructure

PARC Symposium, March 4, 2008

Paul Youngwww.PublicSpaceWorkshop.ca www.srchc.com

Working With Community to

Improve Active Transportation Infrastructure

Paul YoungMA planning, landscape architect, OALA,CSLA,

landscape architect health promoter facilitator, planner



Engaging the community with language and process:

• Entry Point: Health - Councillor and SRCHC hosted meeting on local air quality,

• Citizens suggested creating a safe alternative for drivers, a bike lane.

• SRCHC facilitated / supported, support was difficult for politicians

• Monthly meetings to look at a possible route, spread the word, gather supporters

• Group publicized the idea (local press) and drew in parents near schools (safety)

Dundas East bike lane project

When a child is hit by a car

65 km/h most children are killed

40 km/h 1/2 children are killed

30 km/h 1/20 children are killed(Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. 1997)



1950 - 2004

2004

Dundas East bike lane projectProcess / language:

Create the vision, clarify group’s mandate

Before and after sketches

Plan showing schools, playgrounds was central to the campaign (moving into planning language)

Produced report to Transportation demonstrating need and support (press, plans, counts)

Annual ride (like a tour)

the vision

before

2007 - ?



1998…………………………………………………………….2004

Challenge:

• The public wants more A.T.

• People participate in different ways and at different times

• SRCHC could not have done this alone

• We need to bring the public into the planning process to push for change

Dundas East bike lane project



WalkOn: (www.walkon.ca)

Support: Regional Health Unit

Process: Educational, walks and facilitated discussion emphasis on ACTION

Language:, Health! (physical activity, environment, safety, equity)

Typical action priorities:

• Policy (planning, growth, transportation)

• Outreach (a campaign)

• Building on trail and A.T. network – A Plan

Active Transportation Planning in Ontario



Starting where people are at with context specific ACTIONS

Observations

RuralPaved shoulders

Trails connecting towns

Cluster Development

Protect farmland / natural areas

Transit

SuburbanSite plan guidelines for big box

Traditional town planning

Bike lanes

Reduced lane widths / sidewalks

Mix uses / infill

Transit

Create town gateways

UrbanInfill

Sidewalks / bike lanes

Safety downtown

Enhance public spaces

Streetscaping

Traffic calming



Refining the vision . . .

pictures, perspectives, models, before and after

Observations



Planning SectorParticipation objective: Inform, get feedback, meet legal requirement

Public process:Often starts with an amendment to the Official Plan / or a development application

Participation is required

Often confrontational (opposition)

Tools:Statutory public meetings

Presentation with question/answer

Open House

Health SectorParticipation objective: Inform, get feedback, behaviour change / policy change

Public process: Often starts with the person / group of people experiencing a health issue.

Provincial / municipal campaigns (smoking, pesticides)

Participation is encouraged

Tools: “Social marketing” often with facilitated, interactive working sessions BEFORE policy is drafted

Community development / adult learning, empowerment

Observations



Queens Quay, Toronto - temporary barricades

Observations



• Start where people are at: i.e. clean air, road safety, trail building

• Facilitate a process of learning together. Go on tours, team with community organizations, invite N.G.O.’s.

• Develop a vision that people understand (pictures, examples, models)

• Build an organized advocacy group

• People participate in different ways - provide opportunities

• Good public participation can elevate a project to include A. T. & greening

• Good public participation can keep plans alive through to implementation

• Help the public and planners understand how planning impacts health (creates a rationale for A.T. AND builds grass-roots support)

• Find out where A.T. fits in your planning, (O.P., zoning, design guidelines)

“I would rather bike to a restaurant than drive to the gym!” Advocacy for Respect for Cyclists

THANK YOU! [email protected] [email protected]

Observations in summary

working with community to improve active transportation infrastructure

Documents