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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRPS-05-051 - Proposed Pedestrian Charter the City of Kitchener ~ Report To: Date of Meeting: Submitted By: Prepared By: Ward(s) Involved: Date of Report: Report No.: Subject: Councillor C. Weylie, Chair and Members of the Development & Technical Services Committee April 4, 2005 Environmental Committee Colin Goodeve, Committee Administrator - ext 2278 All March 24, 2005 CRPS-05-051 PEDESTRIAN CHARTER WORKING GROUP PROPOSED PEDESTRIAN CHARTER FOR THE CITY OF KITCHENER RECOMMENDATION: "That the following Pedestrian Charter, as drafted by the Pedestrian Charter Working Group (Citizen's Advisory Committee on Air Quality [CACAQ] and the Together 4 Heath Coalition), be adopted as a guiding principle for the City of Kitchener: 'PEDESTRIAN CHARTER For the City of Kitchener Walking is the most ancient and universal form of travel. It is also an important form of exercise and recreation. Every personal trip involves walking, alone or in combination with taking public transit, driving or cycling. A pedestrian is a person moving from place to place, either by foot or by using an assistive mobility device. Pedestrians include residents and visitors of all ages and abilities. In order to travel safely, conveniently, directly and comfortably, they require an urban environment and infrastructure designed to meet their travel needs. To ensure walking is a safe, comfortable and convenient mode of urban travel, the City of kitchener respects the following principles: Walking is and direct means of accessing local goods, services, community amenities and public transit. Walking relies on human power and has negligible environmental impact. is the only mode of travel is universally affordable, and allows children and youth, and people with specific medical conditions to travel independently. An environment in which and comfortable walking, community safety for all. safe A pedestrian-friendly environment Encourages and facilitates social interaction and local economic vitality. To create an urban environment in all parts of the city that encourages and supports walking, the City of Kitchener will: uphold the right of pedestrians of all ages and abilities to safe, convenient, direct and comfortable walking conditions; provide a walking environment within the public right-of-way and in public parks that encourages people to walk for travel, exercise and recreation; support and encourage the planning, design and development of a walking environment in public and private spaces (both exterior and interior) that meets the travel needs of pedestrians; provide and maintain infrastructure that gives pedestrians safe and convenient passage while walking along and crossing streets; ensure that residents' access to basic community amenities and services does not depend on car ownership or public transit use; set policies that reduce conflict between pedestrians and other users of the public right-of-way; create walkable communities by giving high planning priority to compact, human- scale and mixed land use; encourage research and education on the social, economic, environmental and health benefits of walking as a form of travel, exercise and recreation; promote laws and regulations that respect pedestrians' particular needs; advocate for improving the provincial and federal regulatory and funding frameworks that affect the City's ability to improve the pedestrian environment; and work with individual citizens, community groups and agencies, businesses and other levels of government to achieve these goals. An urban environment that encourages and facilitates walking supports community health, vitality and safety. It increases use of public transit; decreases car dependence; reduces conflict between vehicles and pedestrians; leads to cleaner air; green public space; and supports green tourism. Such an environment creates opportunities for the informal social interaction that is one of the main attributes of a vibrant, liveable urban community.'; and further, That all other local area municipalities be encouraged to adopt a Pedestrian Charter." BACKGROUND: The Citizen's Advisory Committee on Air Quality (CACAQ) and the Together 4 Heath Coalition formed a Working Group to draft pedestrian charters for the urban municipalities of Waterloo Region. Their Pedestrian Charter initiative has been endorsed by a wide range of local organizations who are concerned about health and well-being; community safety; air quality; environmental sustainability; social justice; and the interests of children, youth, seniors, women, and people with mental and physical disabilities or medical conditions. These groups include the Waterloo Region District School Board; Heart and Stroke Foundation; Safe Communities on the Grand; World Wide Opportunities for Women; People's Car Co-op; Canadian Cancer Society; Mental Health and Wellness Network; Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG); and the local One-Tonne Challenge. The Working Group advises that all over North America, people are beginning to recognize the importance of walking, as well as the social and environmental costs that have come with the development of car-dependent cities. Further, the City of Kitchener is already pursuing initiatives to improve the safety and viability of walking as a method of travel in the city, such as the pedestrian walkway to the new Market and the re-design of Gaukel Street. In 2002 the City of Toronto adopted a Pedestrian Charter to formally recognize the value of walking. The Working Group has drafted the proposed Pedestrian Charter based on the Toronto Charter. A draft pedestrian charter is being presented by the Working Group to each of the 4 urban municipalities in Waterloo Region at the same time. REPORT: At the March 24, 2005 Environmental Committee meeting Ms. Cheryl Lousley, CACAQ, on behalf of the Pedestrian Charter Working Group, reviewed the proposed Pedestrian Charter and requested its adoption by City of Kitchener. Ms. Lousley advised that the Charter has no legal status (i.e. it is not like a by-law); it serves as a mutual agreement to foster awareness of, and support for, pedestrian activity. It is to be referred to in the developmental stages of various actions being undertaken by local policy-makers. She stated further, that a Pedestrian is defined as a person moving from place to place either by foot or by using an assistive mobility device; e.g. wheelchairs or children on tricycles. A Charter would be influential in guiding citizens, municipal councils and staff in considering how decisions could encourage pedestrian activity. Ms. Lousley advised that the Region of Waterloo, and the Cities of Cambridge and Waterloo, have referred consideration of the proposed Pedestrian Charter to staff, asking for a report back to their respective Committees. The Environmental Committee was advised that staff support the principles within the proposed Pedestrian Charter as they relate directly to Council policy for sidewalks; correspond with urban design guidelines (which stress accessibility), and other projects such as recent streetscape improvements and Regional planning and public health projects; and tie in with the City's Healthy Communities Plan initiative. One of the main principles of the Residential Neighbourhood Design initiative is walkable communities and pedestrians are always considered when planning new subdivisions/developments. Improving walkability and accessibility will require focus on new development, as well as retrofitting existing development where possible, and collaboration with the development industry. The challenge of the Charter will be to put forward a balanced approach between automotive and pedestrian needs, and will be dependent on a paradigm shift for many individuals. The Environmental Committee is requesting Council's consideration of the recommendation, outlined above, and background material submitted by the Working Group is attached for information. The Working Group and City planning staff are prepared to meet further on this initiative. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: There are no direct financial implications of the proposed Pedestrian Charter. The Charter represents a statement of guiding principles. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator cc. J. Willmer B. Steiner B. Sloan C. Lousley