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Citation |
Vaarala R. Res. Rep. Finn. Transp. Agency 2011; (51): online. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2011, Finnish Transport Agency) |
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DOI |
unavailable |
PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
It is described in the study that land use planning is the most important planning phase for creating a favorable and functional community and service network for walking and cycling. Solutions in planning will be long-lasting and they will have an impact on traffic volumes generated in the area, traffic distribution, traffic safety as well as the status of different transport modes and modal split. The higher the level in planning, at which walking and cycling are observed, the more inevitably strategies, goals and needs for basic mobility are identified and considered. The more definitely they are also applied in practice through detailed planning. Different tools for favorable planning solutions related to walking and cycling are presented in the study. Intensive cooperation between land use planner and transport planner will probably be the most important tool, through which the conflict between the two planning sectors will be avoided and integration between land use and transport planning will be promoted. Classification of areas as pedestrian, cycling and public transport zones is also a good tool, which makes it easier to identify the potential areas for promoting walking and cycling. Other presented tools include, for example, trip generation and traffic model, the latter of which is used very seldom considering the achieved benefits. The study also highlights the key issues for the consideration of walking and cycling especially with regard to master plans and local detailed plans. The most essential and visible part of the work is the planning approach, which is defined separately for each level in planning and through which walking and cycling will be linked as an integral part of the planning process. The aim of this planning approach is to promote an extensive review related to walking and cycling specifically regarding the phase of planning process, in which issues can best be influenced. It is recommended in the study that minor specifications will be made for the Land Use and Building Act and the Land Use and Building Decree, and the connection between walking and cycling and land use planning will be considered in the development of planning guidelines. It is also recommended that a desired network of main walking and cycling routes should be prepared in all greater urban areas. In addition, it is proposed that the planning approach for walking and cycling will be tested under the supervision of the Finnish Transport Agency in 3-5 different municipalities simultaneously with the planning approach for traffic safety and public transport. For the purpose of land use planning, the study also provides a few concrete recommendations for promoting walking and cycling. The aim is that the study would contribute to solutions for promoting walking and cycling, which support the implementation of the national strategy 2020 for walking and cycling and an action plan, which follows the guidelines of this strategy. The purpose of the study is also to inform the decision makers and persons working in the land use and transport sectors that including walking and cycling in the land use planning process together with other transport planning is an important and demanding task, which requires resources and which should already be considered in the programming phase of the land use planning process. |