LONDON: OUR TRANSPORT, OUR HEALTH, OUR SCIENCE RESULTS OF A COMMUNITY-LED ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ANALYSIS OF TRANSPORT AND HEALTH IN LONDON

Abstract

ISEE-189 Introduction: In the UK and internationally, there is government and scientific agreement that transport policies have a significant impact on health – even while experts disagree on the extent of this. In London, transport policies affect the environment and health of Londoners. Yet local people have unanswered questions about important transport and health issues in their neighbourhoods. One problem is the gap between information circulating in academic and/or government reports and the kind of local focused information that communities want. Often, key groups affected by health problems related to transport are particularly excluded from identification of which key questions to ask: for example elderly people, ethnic minorities, children or the socially excluded. The concept of “Environmental Justice” implies both ‘substantive’ and ‘procedural’ rights to a healthy environment. Thus, environmental justice can include both the right to a healthy environment (substantive) and the right to participate in the decision–making process to obtain that right (procedural). Aim: This presentation reports the results of a study we undertook with seven low-income community groups in London to change the normal flow of questions and answers in transport and health research. Our overall aim was ‘to develop an innovative methodology for community-driven analysis of transport and health problems and solutions in London’. We used an environmental justice lens, starting from the premise that part of the solution to environmental injustice is the inclusion of those most affected in the analysis of the situation. Methods: The project was in 3 phases. In the first phase, the team selected four boroughs to work in: Barking and Dagenham, Ealing, Greenwich and Wandsworth. The local council was involved in all boroughs to a greater or lesser extent. In each two community groups or schools were selected: one contact in Greenwich failed to develop. Results: We worked with the following groups: The concept of “Environmental Justice” implies both ‘substantive’ and ‘procedural’ rights to a healthy environment. Thus, environmental justice can include both the right to a healthy environment (substantive) and the right to participate in the decision–making process to obtain that right (procedural). Community organisations: Barking and Dagenham Thames and Gascoigne Estate Tenants and Residents Associations Communities of interest: The male and female meetings within the Ramgharia Sabha Sikh Gurdwara, Ealing The Wandsworth Environment Forum Schools: Primary schools In Greenwich, Barking and Wandsworth A secondary school in Barking We analysed seven very different questions related very much to the local experience of groups, with all the schools focusing on road safety issues, and with the Environment Forum asking the most complex question. The questions asked and data interpretation were substantively different from “ways of seeing” routinely put forward by government or academia. The paper reports the results of the analysis and the experience.