Planning

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This is the collection for the University of Waterloo's School of Planning.

Research outputs are organized by type (eg. Master Thesis, Article, Conference Paper).

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Browsing Planning by Subject "active transportation"

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    Assessing the Active Transportation Potential of Neighbourhood Models Using GIS
    (University of Waterloo, 2012-09-27T14:20:43Z) Cantell, Amber Marie
    This study sought to determine how five neighbourhood models (the Grid, Loop and Cul-de-Sac, Fused Grid, New Urbanist and Greenway) compare in terms of the characteristics known to affect active transportation rates, and which model is most likely to be able to facilitate active transportation as a result. In order to do so, model principles and design characteristics of case study neighbourhoods were described and used to create a range of design specifications for each model. These specifications were then used to develop a GIS-based representation of an example neighbourhood for each model, which included the transportation network, parcels of different land use types and densities, homes and destinations. GIS, statistical and graph-based techniques were then used to comprehensively assess and compare the models in terms of their potential to facilitate walking and biking through the built environment correlates identified in through a literature review. The models were ranked on each variable, and then an overall comparison was made on the basis diversity (land use mix), density and design - the three dimensions identified by Cervero and Kockelman (1997) as being the key ways through which the built environment can contribute to creating walkable (and potentially bikeable) neighbourhoods. Additional measures related to trip characteristics and issues of importance to developers (such as buildable area) were also included. The results illustrate how each model’s unique approach to facilitating walking and/or biking is reflected in the built environment characteristics assessed. While a model that was strong in one category was often weaker in another (a finding which echoes that of Filion and Hammond, 2003), the three alternative models (Fused Grid, New Urbanist and Greenway) consistently fared better than the more traditional Grid and Loop and Cul-de-Sac designs, with the New Urbanist scoring the highest on the overall evaluation of walkability and bikeability and the Greenway the best on network design for cyclists. In addition to these findings, the study also provided an opportunity to explore several challenges related to model assessment, such as issues arising from frame choice, off-set networks, and the use of roads as proxies for active transportation networks.
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    “We're not just about building subdivisions. We can also do good things for the world”: Private Developers and Active Transportation Implementation in the Region of Waterloo
    (University of Waterloo, 2022-12-07) Richards, Graham
    Since the mid-19th century, Canada’s population has become more urbanized as Canadians choose to live in one of its major urban centres, such as the Region of Waterloo. As this trend continues into the 21st century, increased demands have been placed on urban transportation infrastructure and services. Development patterns in Canadian cities have been predominately car-oriented creating negative health impacts for citizens and hindering climate action goals. Active transportation, such as walking and bicycling, has been promoted as a way to improve public health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Support for active transportation planning exists in current provincial, regional, and local planning policies. Private developers are an important part of transforming these policies into the built environment. However, previous research has shown that translating policies to practice has encountered barriers including processes that have not evolved to meet demands. Additionally, the role of private developers in implementing active transportation policies and collaboration methods between the public and private sectors remains a gap in current research. The purpose of this study was to explore the role private developers play in achieving the goals of the Region of Waterloo’s active transportation plans. An explanatory qualitative study design was chosen to explore the current planning framework and gather information through the use of document analysis and 17 key informant interviews from both the public and private sectors. The results show that there are four main barriers for private developers in achieving active transportation goals: excessive vehicle parking requirements, the lack of measures of success, the integration of active transportation initiatives into policy, and the limited methods of collaboration between the public and private sectors. This study presents recommendations to reduce or remove these barriers that can be applied by the Region of Waterloo and/or private developers to facilitate improved implementation of active transportation plans. Although focused on the Region of Waterloo, this research can be applied by planners in other Ontario municipalities to improve active transportation networks and contributes to the body of knowledge on the relationship between the public and private sectors in planning.