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Active urbain planning

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Through urban planning, municipalities can play a major role in the adoption and maintenance of a physically active lifestyle among their citizens.

To support the municipal sector, Collectif Vital has identified several strategies that have proven effective and promising.

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Restrict vehicules

Intense road traffic creates insecurity among the population. Moreover, the number of accidents in a city is directly proportional to the volume of traffic1.

Urban planning focused on safety, particularly through traffic calming measures, constitutes an effective intervention strategy to reduce road trauma and promote active transportation.

In addition, the combined use of active transportation and public transportation is an excellent way to mitigate the negative impacts of sedentary lifestyles and air pollution caused by automobiles.

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To reduce reliance on automobiles in favour of active and collective modes of travel, Collectif Vital recommends that municipalities:

Reduce speed limits and make intersections safer:

  • Favour improvements that reduce vehicle speed and risks of collisions, such as bollards and narrow lanes;
  • Systematically integrate traffic calming measures and improvements to promote active transportation when planning road repair projects (e.g., sidewalks, pedestrian refuge islands, bike paths).

 

Favour a green, active and collective road network:

  • When planning repair work, systematically integrate reserved lanes for public transport, carpooling and taxis;
  • Reserve a greater share of investments and the public space for other, more efficient and safe modes of transportation;
  • Favour a modal shift from the car to public transport;
  • Develop streets with everyone in mind, regardless of age and abilities;
  • Limit and reduce parking spaces near office areas, commercial centres and public institutions to discourage the population from using their car.
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Facilitate acces to green spaces

Parks, public spaces and playgrounds are among the most frequented places for practising physical activities2,3,4.

However, public green spaces are not always distributed equitably across territories, particularly in more disadvantaged neighborhoods5. Also, accessibility issues must be considered, ensuring that these spaces are connected to different living environments via active and collective transport infrastructure.

In addition to health benefits, green spaces have a positive impact on the environment by contributing to better air quality and reducing heat islands. Urban planning measures, such as greening existing public spaces, can be implemented to maximize these benefits.

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Considering green spaces as important assets to promote active lifestyles, Collectif Vital recommends that municipalities:

  • Take into account the principle of equity in the availability of green spaces, prioritizing the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods;
  • Develop multifunctional and intergenerational parks;
  • Develop networks of pedestrian and cycle corridors to connect green spaces to different living environments, thus promoting active mobility;
  • Focus urban planning measures towards greening the public space, such as parking spaces, for example.

 

To find out more about issues and solutions surrounding the greening of public spaces, check out the ILEAU project coordinated by the Montreal Regional Environmental Council.

Also, the Réseau d’action pour la santé durable du Québec, an initiative of the Association pour la santé publique du Québec, promotes the greening of health establishments as a way to fight against heat islands, improve comfort in living and care environments, and promote urban biodiversity and air quality.

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Encourage active mobility all year long

Using active modes of travel to go to work, school or even the grocery store, is recognized as an essential pillar of sustainable mobility and is a simple way to integrate physical activity into your daily life.

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To encourage the population to adopt and maintain an active lifestyle throughout the year, the municipal sector must ensure access to safe and attractive spaces reserved for active transportation.

In winter, snow and ice removal from sidewalks are important measures to ensure safe and pleasant experiences for pedestrians. With the growing popularity of cycling, opening bike paths earlier in the spring and later in the fall would make it possible to prolong the use of this active mode of travel.

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To ensure pedestrian and bike paths are developed and made accessible in all seasons, Collectif Vital encourages municipalities to:

  • Dedicate a portion of the road budget to developments related to active transportation;
  • Plan new developments with a focus on territorial density and street connectivity;
  • Take into account the needs of all users to plan, develop and maintain pedestrian and bicycle networks in all seasons;
  • Ensure that there is sufficient bicycle parking available near building entrances and parks;
  • Prioritize snow and ice removal from pedestrian paths;
  • Clear snow from bike paths along with roads and sidewalks.
  • Properly maintain bike paths at the beginning of Spring (including road markings) and at the end of Fall to extend the season for cyclists.
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Promote active and safe modes of travel around schools

Walking or biking between home and school is an excellent way for children to get daily physical activity.

Lack of safety, whether perceived or real, is one of the main reasons cited by parents for not allowing their child to walk or bike to school6,7.

Providing permanent, accessible infrastructure for active transportation is therefore necessary so that families feel comfortable choosing active modes of travel.

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To encourage active modes of travel around schools, Collectif Vital recommends to:

  • Take walking opportunities into account when choosing school locations;
  • Ensure safe pedestrian and bicycle access around schools to stimulate active transportation;
  • Provide traffic calming measures and infrastructure around schools to ensure active modes of travel are safe;
  • Reconsider school transportation policies to encourage active travel (e.g., limit parking and drop-off spaces, etc.)
  • Define a safe school zone (no stopping zone for motorists, parking ban, street closures, etc.);
  • Set up sufficient bike racks.

 

For further information, Santé Montréal has created an infographic as part of its GO - Le secondaire s'active project in order to better understand how school environments can influence the practice of physical activities among youth aged 12 to 17.

Click here to view the infographic

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Our publications

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LOCAL AGRICULTURE

LOCAL AGRICULTURE

Encourage urban agriculture.

Learn more

FOOD POLICY

FOOD POLICY

For a healthy and sustainable diet.

Learn more

STREET PLAY

STREET PLAY

Encourage families to participate in physical activities.

Learn more

HEALTHY HYDRATION

HEALTHY HYDRATION

Initiatives to promote municipal water consumption.

Learn more

ZONING

ZONING

Zoning to limit the establishment of fast food restaurants.

Learn more

ACTIVE URBAN PLANNING

ACTIVE URBAN PLANNING

Promote active travel on a daily basis.

Learn more

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  1. Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (2016). La sécurité routière, ça nous concerne tous ! Document de consultation publique, 56 p.
  2. Lemieux, M. & Thibault, G. (2011). L’Activité physique, le sport et les jeunes – Savoir et agir. Observatoire québécois du loisir, 9 (7). Repéré à https://oraprdnt.uqtr.uquebec.ca/pls/public/docs/FWG/GSC/Publication/170/377/1765/1/45155/5/F412863849_Bulletin_Vol_9_No.7.pdf 
  3. Québec en forme (2011). Parcs, terrains de jeu et mode de vie physiquement actif. Faits saillants de la recherche, 3.
  4. Québec en forme (2012). Pour que les jeunes adoptent les modes de transport actif. Repéré à http://www.quebecenforme.org/media/103535/transport_actif.pdf
  5. Gordon-Larsen, P., Nelson, M. C., Page, P., & Popkin, B. M. (2006). Inequality in the built environment underlies key health disparities in physical activity and obesity. Pediatrics, 117(2), 417-424. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2005-0058
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