Minding the (research) gaps – DRIVING CHANGE IN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ACROSS CANADA

Published by: David Suzuki Foundation
Authored by: David Cooper, Chris French, Julianna Charchun
ISBN: 978-1-988424-95-8

Climate solutions sustainable transportation, climate change

The David Suzuki Foundation engaged Leading Mobility Consulting to explore among city staff in seven large Canadian municipalities opportunities to address gaps in knowledge and data to advance climate action, equity and transportation finance. The cities are Surrey, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.

Based on qualitative analysis, 10 themes emerged, and five recommendations and related research questions are presented:

• Shift paradigm of car culture
• Advocate for new fiscal tools and funding for transit and active transportation
• Support best practices for collecting and using data to meet climate and equity outcomes together
• Support efforts to develop carbon budgets
• Shift modes of travel to less carbon-intensive by understanding the factors that create change, particularly when it comes to:
  a. Transit service levels
  b. Role of active transportation
  c. Transit-oriented development
  d. Regional commuter mode share.