PARC Symposium, March 4, 2008 Paul Young Working With Community to Improve Active Transportation Infrastructure Paul Young MA planning, landscape architect, OALA,CSLA, landscape architect health promoter facilitator, planner

PARC Symposium, March 4, 2008 Paul Young 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)

PARC Symposium, March 4, 2008 Paul Young Dundas East bike lane project Process / 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 ?

PARC Symposium, March 4, 2008 Paul Young …………………………………………………………….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

PARC Symposium, March 4, 2008 Paul Young WalkOn: ( 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

PARC Symposium, March 4, 2008 Paul Young Starting where people are at with context specific ACTIONS Observations Rural Paved shoulders Trails connecting towns Cluster Development Protect farmland / natural areas Transit Suburban Site plan guidelines for big box Traditional town planning Bike lanes Reduced lane widths / sidewalks Mix uses / infill Transit Create town gateways Urban Infill Sidewalks / bike lanes Safety downtown Enhance public spaces Streetscaping Traffic calming

PARC Symposium, March 4, 2008 Paul Young Refining the vision... pictures, perspectives, models, before and after Observations

PARC Symposium, March 4, 2008 Paul Young Planning Sector Participation 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 Sector Participation 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

PARC Symposium, March 4, 2008 Paul Young Queens Quay, Toronto - temporary barricades Observations

PARC Symposium, March 4, 2008 Paul Young 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! Observations in summary