Grant: Planning Grants for Implementing Healthy Urban Policy

The City of Guelph has ambitious new transportation policies in place to move forward the City's strategic vision of "an inclusive, connected, prosperous city where we can look after each other and our environment." The City of Guelph's 2022 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) prioritizes safe equitable, inclusive, and sustainable transportation and includes comprehensive policies and infrastructure network plans to double the non-auto mode share by 2051, develop a Connectivity Index and integrate an equity lens to the TMP implementation over the next 30 years. As part of Guelph's TMP, a Vision Zero (VZ) road safety philosophy was adopted that guides staff on using a safe systems approach to implement and evaluate road safety interventions to achieve zero injuries and fatalities on Guelph's roads. These initiatives align perfectly with the theme of the Planning Grant for Implementing Healthy Urban Policy related to active transportation and public space. Guelph's objective is to work with an established researcher in this area, Dr. Linda Rothman from Toronto Metropolitan University, to learn best practices with a safety and equity lens, to help inform our new Complete Streets Design Guidelines, Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plans and our Traffic Calming Policy. Our knowledge mobilization plan will include a city tour for councillors, public health and city staff and representatives from equity-seeking organizations, followed by a design charette and a presentation/panel discussion to a wider audience related to lessons learnt and an action plan. The knowledge gained will support collaboration between city leaders and researchers to co-develop and evaluate interventions that create healthy urban spaces and promote safe and equitable mobility for all residents. Through Guelph's participation with Dr Rothman in a new CIHR Healthy Cities Implementation Science Team, these learnings can help inform safe active transportation solutions for other Canadian municipalities.