Community-centred approaches to active travel policy
Our June 2024 GM Hub seminar focused on creative community engagement and its impact on active travel policy.
Greater Manchester (GM) has among the worst levels of pollution in the UK. It has been estimated that poor air quality contributes to around 1,200 premature deaths each year in the city region, and vehicular transport is a major contributor to pollution. Plans to implement cycle lane networks are underway in some boroughs of GM as part of the Bee Network. However, the network does not include all parts of the city region and some areas, such as Ardwick, remain pollution “hot spots”.
Professor Sheena Cruickshank has worked with residents and community groups in Ardwick to address their concerns about high rates of pollution, which, together with concerns about safety of pathways, pavements, and traffic crossings, have contributed to a reduction in physical activity and use of active transport. How can community groups help policymakers understand local sources of pollution and barriers to active travel, and be involved in developing solutions?
Our June GM Policy Hub seminar focused on this research and the creative approaches involved, such as training community-based researchers, participatory mapping exercises, and commissioning interactive artwork.
When: Wednesday 5 June 2024, 1.30pm-3pm
Where: The University of Manchester
Speakers:
- Professor Sheena Cruickshank, Professor in Biomedical Sciences
- Jane Dudley, Neighbourhood Manager, Manchester City Council
- Daniell Musaheb, Co-founder of Ardwick Climate Action
Chair:
- Professor Cecilia Wong, Academic Co-Director of Policy@Manchester