What policies contribute to active transport participation? A comparative policy analysis of Christchurch and Copenhagen

Abstract

Increasing active transport participation in urban environments has a large body of academic support. Reasoning behind the push towards a cleaner, healthier, and more efficient mode of transportation is found in a range of disciplines including health science, in climate change and sustainability discussions, in economics, and in social science investigations into what creates a ‘happy’ urban environment. Active transport refers to modes of transportation in which the traveller is ‘active’; including both walking and cycling. This dissertation looks at what variables contribute to active transport, and identifies policy measures that low active transport cities should consider for future research. Using Christchurch, New Zealand and Copenhagen, Denmark as case studies (one low and one high active transportation city), the policies in each city are examined systematically using an outcomes based policy approach. The research identifies what variables can be changed by policy and further still which are changed by local policy. Policy and planning documents from the last decade are examined and compared for both cities. A separate analysis of the city contexts is included. This provides a holistic and integrated approach which considers all variables with potential to influence active transport participation. The research culminates in a list of policy recommendations that low active transport cities, like Christchurch, should consider to increase active transport participation. These include decreasing car parking spaces, increasing separated cycle paths, reconfiguring traffic intersections to give active transport modes priority, and increasing funding for active transport.