City Know-hows
People from equity-deserving groups have unique needs, barriers, and priorities that need to be addressed in order to create inclusive and accessible active transportation. This paper highlights some of the complexities of planning for different cultures, languages, ages, and abilities. Recommendations are made to support municipalities with creating better active transportation infrastructure and policies.
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Target audience
Municipalities, law enforcement, public transportation planners, city planners, politicians, advocates.
The problem
Given the current climate crisis, and troubling physical inactivity levels, it is imperative that we create active transportation infrastructure and policies that improve uptake. In high income countries, active transportation users are more likely to be older, white males. Neighbourhoods exacerbate this disparity, as high-income neighbourhoods tend to have better infrastructure to support active transportation. Our goal was to understand the barriers, needs, and priorities of equity-deserving groups to begin addressing this disparity.
What we did and why
We conducted interviews and focus groups with 21 adults who identified from various equity-deserving and intersectional groups. This method provided us with unique insight into the true issues that people in the community are facing when it comes to engaging in active transportation.
Our study’s contribution
Our study fills a critical gap in transportation planning, as data clearly indicate that the barriers faced by equity-deserving groups are unique in many ways, and are not being addressed by planners and policy-makers.
We found clear cultural and language issues that make navigating through our city more challenging and stressful, especially for newcomers. There were several safety concerns that were raised that are unique to equity-deserving groups.
Impacts for city policy and practice
Our research underscores the urgency for city policymakers, planners, and politicians to prioritize the perspectives and needs of equity-deserving communities in active transportation planning. Incorporating these insights can lead to more inclusive and effective strategies that address systemic barriers and promote equitable access to mobility options.
Further information
Full research article:
[OPEN ACCESS] ‘I just want safety’: understanding the needs of diverse residents to facilitate equitable active transportation planning in Durham Region, Canada by Maykah Lochan Aristide, Alicia Kollaard & Shilpa Dogra.
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