October 2016 - AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

Street sense - Urban thinker Jane Jacobs' life, short works captured in pair of new books (Oct.29'16)
by Beth McKechnie 31 Oct '16

31 Oct '16

Street sense Urban thinker Jane Jacobs' life, short works captured in pair of new books http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/books/street- sense-399133141.html For those who like their Jane Jacobs served neat and short, here, for the first time, is a comprehensive tasting menu of smaller creations by the visionary American-born Canadian urbanist (journalist, historian, economist, activist, etc.), unfiltered and undiluted. Served chronologically and spanning Jacobs’ seven decades of evolving theory on how cities function and can function better, the offerings in *Vital Little Plans* include articles from *Vogue* in the 1930s, *Harper’s Bazaar* in the ’40s and *Architectural Forum* in the ’50s. There are interviews (see Jacobs bristle in a 1993 one-on-one with Canadian journalist David Warren); an early website commentary (1995); and speeches (including one she delivered at a 2001 conference of Canada’s large city mayors in Winnipeg). There is her "foreword" to a 1952 State Department Loyalty Security Board interrogatory inquiring into her affiliations (she was a target of Cold War campaigns to expose Communists but was, in fact, an independent thinker). There is also an excerpt of a book, unfinished when she died in 2006. Jacobs’ writing is clear — expressed simply, sometimes lyrically, down-to-earth and based on observation and research — but it is not simple. Some pieces, given their complexity (particularly her economic theories), take time to digest. The knowledgable editors masterfully provide context in a style as engaging as Jacobs’ own. Samuel Zipp is a historian and academic of American and urban studies at Rhode Island’s Brown University; Nathan Storring is a curator and designer based also in Providence and New York City, with Ontario roots. Their five "part introductions," prefacing different stages of Jacobs’ writings, describe her life and times concurrent with those works. The writings are balanced between her New York City and Toronto periods. Their annotations, readily accessible at the foot of the page, succinctly identify persons referenced by Jacobs (tombstone data, career background, their relationship to her) and explain diverse concepts such as New York City’s long-gone pneumatic mail tube system, "new towns" and the Canadian Senate. They cross-reference singular Jacobs ideas, pointing to other of her works, inside and out of *Vital Little Plans,* where those thoughts originated, are expanded upon, shift and connect. The collection includes Jacobs’ 1992 new foreword to her most famous book, *The Death and Life of Great American Cities*, republished 31 years after rocking city planners, architects and the public in 1961. That seminal work appears on the dust jacket of *Vital Little Plans* as part of an extended subtitle: *The Short Works of Jane Jacobs, Author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities*. This is doubly curious. Surely anyone interested in this meaty new volume will have already heard of Jacobs, so *Death and Life* is hardly a lure. Could a person possibly know that work but not Jane Jacobs? The editors suggest she may be fading from memory. A reason, they say, for now publishing *Little Vital Plans* is to "retrieve… her voice for readers who’ve forgotten it or never knew it in the first place." Jacobs is everywhere in 2016. In addition to Robert Kanigel’s *Eyes on the Street: The Life of Jane Jacobs*, another biography, *Becoming Jane Jacobs* by Peter L. Laurence is due, as well as another Jacobs collection, *Jane Jacobs: The Last Interview and Other Conversations*. This year, on the weekend closest to Jacobs’ May 4 birthday, tens of thousands of citizen-explorers across six continents plied local neighbourhoods to celebrate her and her ideas. It was the 10th annual edition of Jane’s Walks, the urban walking tours inspired by Jacobs’ ideas. *Vital Little Plans* encourages us to read Jacobs. Short samplings are easier to appreciate and, unlike a select work from her varied collection, provide the full palette of her thought. We can walk away satisfied with more than mere tropes, good as "sidewalk ballet" and "eyes on the street" will always be. *Gail Perry is a co-founder of the Winnipeg Architecture Foundation and co-creator of a local Jane’s Walk, Plane Jane: A Walk to the Airport.*

1 0

WFP Analysis: Designing the perfect winter city (Oct.31'16)
by Beth McKechnie 31 Oct '16

31 Oct '16

Designing the perfect winter city http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/ designing-the-perfect-winter-city-399272171.html Winter is Winnipeg’s thing. It’s what we’re known for. It unifies us like a legion heading into battle. As we prepare to collectively stare down another winter, however, the city of Edmonton is quietly threatening to invade our turf. They not only showed up last week to beat us at our favourite winter sport, they are now trying to beat us at winter itself. In a few weeks, Edmonton’s urban planning committee and city council will be presented with an official winter design policy, a planning document that outlines an innovative set of winter-specific urban design guidelines, with the goal of transforming the Alberta capital into an international model for winter city design. Once adopted, its recommendations will influence zoning bylaws, design standards and approval processes by viewing them through the unique lens of winter living. With these new guidelines, Edmonton is hoping to turn a traditional winter hibernation into an outdoor urban celebration. Winnipeg has led the way with several grassroots festivals, activities and community initiatives that have begun to change our attitudes about winter living, but embedding winter-specific design principles into official civic policy is a visionary idea that could have a transformational effect on the character of Edmonton’s architectural and urban form. The guidelines will implement several design strategies to help make outdoor spaces comfortable and inviting in all seasons, by focusing on the creation of comfortable urban microclimates. Wind and sunlight are the two key elements that impact thermal comfort in urban areas. Environment Canada has indicated by controlling these factors through design, we can make outdoor public spaces feel warmer by as much as 10 C on cold days. Edmonton’s new guidelines hope to encourage outdoor winter activity by considering the impact of design elements at every scale. On an urban design level, dense development is promoted, with short city blocks that reduce walking distances. The use of urban alleyways is encouraged as an opportunity to provide smaller, sheltered spaces with shops, restaurants and pedestrian connections to adjoining streets. In strategic areas, the guidelines recommend buildings include small setbacks or pocket parks along the sidewalk to create sun traps and wind shelters that incorporate dense materials such as stone and brick to naturally absorb and reflect heat. The document also advocates for development of more low-rise buildings to help break up the wind and provide access to sunlight on the sidewalks. Zoning changes are suggested to create streets that have buildings with varied heights, to reduce the wind tunnel effect, while taller structures are to be located on the north sides of streets and should be designed with massing that steps back from the sidewalks as they rise, to reduce shadows at the ground. At an architectural scale, designers are encouraged to establish strong indoor-outdoor relationships, by creating buildings with many public entrances and small storefronts aligned directly to the sidewalk, so pedestrians can find regular locations to warm up. Requirements for buildings to include awnings, arcades and overhangs are promoted as a way of providing outdoor shelter from wind, snow and rain. The use of colour on building facades is encouraged, along with permanent and seasonal lighting to provide a visual warmth to the outdoor environment, particularly during the long, dark winter months. Recommendations for landscape design include development of urban spaces with public art and street furnishings that incorporate windscreens, gas firepits and other heating sources. Trees, plants and landscape elements are also seen as an important design opportunity to create outdoor rooms that control wind, sun and drifting snow in public places. By carefully implementing these strategies, designers can affect human comfort in our urban environments in very significant ways. Commitment to these principles could result in the development of a unique northern city that supports a vibrant and active urban lifestyle in every season. We have generally used technology to fight our battles against climate and have in many ways built cities that turn their backs on winter, with skywalks that replace sidewalks and climate-controlled malls instead of urban shopping streets. This has not only made a lasting impact on quality of life in many northern cities during the colder months but often affects public priorities and investment in the warmer seasons as well. There is often opposition to new ideas in cities such as Winnipeg if they are viewed as having limited seasonal use. Year-round urban amenities such as protected bike lanes, pedestrian-oriented downtown streets or walkable residential neighbourhoods are often dismissed with the sentiment that we can’t do that here because it’s too cold. With good design, however, outdoor winter participation can be increased, optimizing public investment. As an example, when bike-lane systems in Montreal and Minneapolis were designed and maintained with winter use as a priority, cycling rates more than doubled overall, and winter participation has been growing three times faster than summer use. Edmonton’s winter design policy is an inspiring first step toward making a long-term cultural shift in our perception of winter living. Their leadership is an opportunity for Winnipeg to set its own priorities for winter city design. By promoting innovative, homegrown approaches to architectural, urban and landscape design that naturally encourages more outdoor winter living, we can improve our quality of life and capitalize on the unique opportunities of our northern climate. *Brent Bellamy is chairman of CentreVenture’s board and the creative director at Number Ten Architectural Group.*

1 0

Funding announced for Headingley path connection
by Beth McKechnie 29 Oct '16

29 Oct '16

*HEADINGLEY, MANITOBA–(Marketwired - Oct. 28, 2016) * The Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba today announced support for a new pathway at the intersection of Provincial Road 334 (Bridge Road) and the Provincial Trunk Highway No. 1. This connection between the north and the south areas of Headingley across the Highway will provide pedestrians and cyclists with a new, direct link to key amenities in the area. The pathway will create increased opportunities for outdoor recreation for families and give them a safer travel option in the community. http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/investment-in-local-infrastructure…

1 0

Job posting - Peg City Car Co-op
by Beth McKechnie 26 Oct '16

26 Oct '16

*** Please share widely – thanks! *** *Peg City Car Co-op seeks Member Services Coordinator* We’re looking for someone who is passionate about sustainable transportation and is keen to help make carsharing a practical, convenient and cost-effective solution for more Winnipeggers. If you are someone who likes a variety of responsibilities and working with a small, tight-knit team, this is for you. Check out the full posting here <https://pegcitycarcoop.ca/v1_5/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Member-Services-C…> . Apply by November 14, 2016. *Bike. Walk. Bus. And Sometimes, Drive.*

1 0

WFP: Lukes wants downtown bike lanes fast-tracked (Oct.21'16)
by Beth McKechnie 21 Oct '16

21 Oct '16

Trip west convinces councillor protected bike lanes in downtown should be fast-tracked http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/trip-west-convinces-councillor-prote… A recent West Coast trip to an urban cycling and pedestrian conference has re-ignited a suburban city councillor’s enthusiasm to spur Winnipeg’s own protected downtown bike lane network. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of the city council’s public works committee, wants city hall to fast-track the establishment of a downtown network of protected bike lanes using temporary structures like concrete Jersey highway barriers and concrete curbs and plastic bollards. "Why not investigate to see if we can do it?" Lukes (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert) said. "There seems to be broad public interest in it. We want people living in our downtown and we want the downtown to be vibrant and exciting and more cycling and pedestrian does that." Lukes held a public forum earlier this week, bringing with her the team of engineers responsible for designing and implementing the temporary downtown networks in Calgary and Edmonton. The event drew about 130 people, she said, and it stoked everyone’s interest that the model could be duplicated in Winnipeg. "Winnipeg needs something like this," said Mark Cohoe, executive director of Bike Winnipeg. Cohoe attended Luke’s forum and said the team of engineers generated local excitement at what could be accomplished here. Council approved a cycling and pedestrian strategy last year that outlines proposed bike and pedestrian paths across the city but it’s a 30-year plan and Lukes said she thinks the timeline can be speeded up considerably. The city has a protected bike route along a stretch of Sherbrook Street and is constructing routes along Assiniboine Avenue and Pembina Highway. The most ambitious plan appears to be the make-over of Garry Street, with a 1.5-long-kilometre protected bike route that runs from Assiniboine Avenue into the Exchange District. But it won’t be completed until the end of 2018. Winnipeg’s current policy is to construct protected bike lanes as part of a co-ordinated effort involving street and underground infrastructure street renewals. Lukes said the conference showed her there’s another approach — Calgary was able to quickly set up a protected bike network using temporary structures, which can be moved if the routes need to be adjusted. Lukes said building protected bike routes encourages ridership and rider safety; using temporary structures generates cycling interest quickly and helps civic officials determine which routes should become permanent. "Because you’re using temporary structures, it doesn’t take years to build it," Lukes said. "They created this temporary network in downtown Calgary and, the design resulted in an increase in the number of on-street parking spaces and led to a significant increase in the number of downtown cyclists." Lukes said she’ll ask city staff at the Nov. 1 meeting of the public works committee to see what would have to happen to enable a fast-track a downtown cycling network, which will likely involve more study and a plan with a budget to be brought to council. "We have the (proposed) routes already. Now, we need to look at our budget and decide what can we put on hold and how we can get it done." She said it’s possible the federal Liberal government will provide funding. Lukes said that while in Vancouver she explored that city’s network of protected bike routes. "There were hundreds and thousands of people riding their bikes everywhere. "I biked around downtown Vancouver all over. I felt safe. It was amazing, it was like, oh my gosh, it was fantastic. Again, it was protected cycling – I felt safe. It was great. It’s a cycling network that eight-year-olds and 80-year-olds can go on it — It’s not made just for guys in spandex. People feel safer so people use it." So, why is a suburban councillor promoting a proposal to fast-track a downtown cycling network? Lukes said before winning election to council, she spent 15 years as an advocate for increased pedestrian and cycling activities. "If we can get more people on bikes, we reduce traffic congestion — take that car lovers — and it’s a proven boost to businesses along the street. It creates vitality, vibrancy and gets more people healthy. It’s a win-win. It’s the right thing to do." Lukes points to the popularity of the Northeast Pioneers’ Greenway — a long strip of pavement that runs between two streets from North Kildonan to East Kildonan. "It doesn’t even go anywhere or connect to any other bike routes and it’s become the most heavily used piece of active transportation we have in Manitoba. Never in my life would I have dreamed the impact that walking and cycling does for people. I see how it transforms communities, neighbourhoods and lifestyles." Cohoe said the city’s proposed downtown network lacks connectivity with other neighbourhoods and needs to be revised but Lukes said city hall has to start somewhere and creating a downtown network is probably the best option. Creating a safe, protected downtown network will generate interest, she said, and will lead to the establishment of cycling networks in other neighbourhoods and routes that link the various networks. "Really, it’s the chicken-or-egg dilemma," Lukes said. "We have a huge density of people downtown, we want more people living downtown. We have a lot we can build on from our own experience and there’s lots to build on from other cities. We’ve got actual pieces of infrastructure, like on Sherbrook, which other businesses can see." aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca

1 0

Job Posting - Green Action Centre: Sustainable Transportation Program
by Shoni Madden 21 Oct '16

21 Oct '16

Please share with your networks! Green Action Centre is looking for someone to join our sustainable transportation team. This full-time position will be a dual role with 3 days per week at the Active and Safe Routes to School Program, and 2 days with our Workplace Commuter Options program. If you have experience in this area, please check out the attached posting or the link for more detail on what the position entails. The deadline to apply is November 7, 2016. http://greenactioncentre.ca/featured/job-posting-join-our-sustainable-trans… Thanks! -- *Shoni Madden* | Active and Safe Routes to School Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3773 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://canadahelps.org/> * Please note that my regular office hours are Monday/Friday. I will respond to your communication at this time.

1 0

Metro News: Forum on fast tracking bike well attended, but now what? (Oct.20'16)
by Beth McKechnie 20 Oct '16

20 Oct '16

Forum on fast tracking bike network well attended, but now what?Winnipeggers have expressed an appetite for a fast-tracked minimum grid installation in downtown, but there's still work to do before it can happen. http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2016/10/19/winnipeg-hungry-for-bike-n… A group of Winnipeg cyclists, politicians and students are keen to see the wheels in motion for a bike grid in Winnipeg. But following a public forum on “fast tracking <http://www.metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/2016/10/13/winnipeg-forum-planned-for…>” a complete bike lane network in Winnipeg on Tuesday, the question remains: Now what? Spoiler alert: there could be more consultations. More than 150 people at the forum heard from a panel well acquainted with the successful application of that style project in Calgary, and another underway in Edmonton, and liked what they heard. “There wasn’t a moment that made me think it wasn’t applicable (in Winnipeg),” said urban design student Zach Fleischer. “To see the other cities stepping up to the plate, it’s really inspiring, and it gives me hope we can start to move forward.” The Green Action Centre’s safe routes to school program coordinator Jamie Hilland, who admits he’s biased in terms of wanting protected bike lanes, said he found the number of attendees “eye opening.” “(Attendance) was impressive, it was literally standing room only. You can really tell there is a pent-up demand for this kind of thing,” he said. The demand hasn’t gone unnoticed with municipal leaders. Councillor Cindy Gilroy, who attended the forum, said she appreciated the panel and learning “how (other cities) moved forward with a grid,” adding she’s, “open to having a conversation now about what (Winnipeg) can do.” She thinks it’s the right time to have that conversation, as “more and more people become engaged.” “A few years back that room (Tuesday) wouldn’t have been as packed, but people are starting to cycle more,” she said. “I think we need to talk to that community… if they feel we could start a project while having some temporary infrastructure put in that could become permanent, I’m all for that.” Her colleague, Coun. Marty Morantz, is similarly interested in pacing the bike network expansion to allow for more consultation—whereas the forum’s organizer and lead bike-booster Coun. Janice Lukes is steering the fast-track wagon. Morantz wasn’t at the public forum, but during a debate on impact fees at City Hall on Wednesday he highlighted the contradiction in Lukes wanting to take more time to study the fees while trying to hurry in another “major policy area.” “A downtown cycling grid is very important. I just really hope that it doesn’t get rushed through,” Morantz said. Lukes, for her part, doesn’t disagree, and her next steps are in line with what Morantz and Gilroy are thinking. “What’s next? We go to the next phase,” Lukes said. “I’ll make a motion to ask the department what amount of consultation it would take to understand this better… get some cost estimates, some scheduling estimates, that’s my intent.” Depending how long it takes for city staff to answer those and other questions in a full report, Lukes said consultation could probably happen within the next year, something she’s excited about. “I absolutely want to keep moving forward on this,” she said. “Ultimately council will decide.”

1 0

Cyclist says his pool noodle makes Toronto streets safer for him
by Beth McKechnie 18 Oct '16

18 Oct '16

Not sure if this should make us laugh at this fellow's ingenuity or shake our heads that our streets push someone to this measure. Shows what lengths people will go to in order to be a little safer on their bikes. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/10/18/cyclist-says-his-pool-noodle-ma… -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/>

1 0

Webinar reminder: Intersections that Work for Peds and Cyclists - Wed, Oct 19, 2-3pm
by Beth McKechnie 18 Oct '16

18 Oct '16

*** Friendly reminder about tomorrow's webinar *** Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg invite you to join us for a local viewing of this month's APBP <http://www.apbp.org/> webinar. The webinar viewing takes place in the EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) and will be followed by group discussion of local applications. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth * * * * * *Intersections that Work for Pedestrians and CyclistsWednesday, October 19 | 2:00 - 3:00 pm CST * Intersections present the greatest safety risk for vulnerable road users and are the point of greatest potential conflict. The Dutch approach to intersection design of separating modes and increasing sociability through eye contact presents an opportunity for significant safety improvements to transportation networks while meeting operational demands. This webinar will evaluate the safety issues for pedestrians and cyclists that lie in traditional intersection designs, as well as identify the principal elements involved in protected intersection design and explore their role in increasing safety. In addition, case studies of safety improvements from both Dutch and North American contexts where protected intersection designs have been implemented will be discussed. *Speakers:* - Dick Van Veen, Senior Consultant / Lead Designer Public Space, Mobycon - Brian Gould, Bike Planning Engineer, City of Vancouver -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your green living hub Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/>

1 0

Bike lanes are a sound health investment
by Beth McKechnie 18 Oct '16

18 Oct '16

Every $1,300 New York City invested in building bike lanes in 2015 provided benefits equivalent to one additional year of life at full health over the lifetime of all city residents, according to a new economic assessment. That's a better return on investment than some direct health treatments, like dialysis, which costs $129,000 for one quality-adjusted life year, or QALY, said coauthor Dr. Babak Mohit of the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University in New York. Our greatest public health intervention, vaccines, take about $100 investment to yield one QALY, Mohit told Reuters Health by phone. Read full article: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/09/29/bike-lanes-are-sound-public-health…

1 0