“GIS for sustainable transport” session at RGS2015

The RGS Transport Geography Research Group and Geographic Information Science Research Group are joining forces to convene a session on GIS for Sustainable Transport.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have a long history in Transport Geography. With recent advances in data, software and computers, we can do more with GIS for transport planning than ever before. This applies especially to sustainable transport, where carefully targeted local interventions can have huge benefits for relatively little cost and where digital community engagement opens-up new possibilities for participatory planning. This session seeks to explore the new roles that modern GIS systems – including online, open source and interactive options, as well as established techniques – can play in Transport Geography and for enabling transition towards a sustainable transport system.

Deadline for submissions: Monday 16th February, session abstract and application form available here: http://tinyurl.com/gis4st

Session conveners: Robin Lovelace and Eusebio Odiari.

Applications should be sent via email to R.Lovelace@Leeds.ac.uk

‘Walking & Cycling: The contributions of health and transport geography’ session at RGS 2013

This session was co-sponsored  by the TGRG and the Geography of Health Research Group (GHRG).  It brought together what appeared to be an eclectic mix of presentations exploring the contribution of geographers’ research in active modes.

Firstly Anna Davidson’s‘A political ecology of the body in urban cycling’, looked at the potential for new theoretical approaches to understanding the interaction between the cyclist and their environ, then Esther Rind and colleagues used a modelling approach to explore whether a measure of environmental quality impacts upon active travel behaviours.  David Lindelöw presented a compelling argument for more research into walking as a mode of transport, then drew on principal component analysis to examine factors influencing walking. His work drew parallels with Maslow’s hierarchy of need after the work of Alfonzo (2005).  Rachel Lee and Rebecca Johnson each presented case studies evaluating interventions to encourage active travel, using a Pecha Kucha style; a copy of Rachel’s can be view below.  Rachel focussed upon how Living Streets’ community partnership approach to delivering environmental improvement encouraged walking, whilst Rebecca evaluated the role of adult cycle training in promoting confidence in Tower Hamlets.  Each emphasised the ability of simple and relatively cheap interventions to facilitate behavioural change.

The session proved that despite the breath in approach, in reality there was a strong link between each paper with themes such as community, health, the built environment, policy (and in some case politics) and practice being emphasised throughout.

 

  

Rachel Lee’s pecha kucha presentation. 

Continue reading to see the accompanying text.