Chapter 9 - Active transport and urban design

Abstract

The encouragement of increased usage of active transport modes is a fundamental part of transportation policies for climate change mitigation. The adaptation perspective for active transport is on the provision and maintenance of infrastructure specifically provided for active travel. This infrastructure is most likely to be found in urban areas, and so issues of urban design that encourage – or remove impediments to – active transport are important. This chapter begins by discussing land use–transport integration as a planning philosophy that encourages active travel, by reorganising urban land use distribution to bring destinations closer and thus reduce travel distances. The ASSI – ‘avoid, shift, share, improve’ – paradigm is described as an approach to policy development for active travel and the provision and operation of suitable infrastructure, including access to public transport. This chapter concludes by examining the emerging principles for low carbon design of urban precincts and neighbourhoods, and the implications for transportation infrastructure provision that result.