Development and application of a framework for analyzing the impacts of urban transportation
Date
2004-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
EcoHealth Journal Consortium
Abstract
To adequately analyze the impacts associated with the rising use of automobiles, an assessment
framework is needed that includes environment, health, economic, and sociocultural impacts. Such a framework
was developed and applied to a proposed freeway-widening project in Edmonton, Canada. The assessment
framework was developed using both Multi-Criteria Analysis and the Ecosystem Approach to Human
Health (Ecohealth). Community participation was vital in the application of the assessment framework to this
case study. Six stakeholder groups, including community members, City Councillors, and health, environment,
and transportation experts, provided needed qualitative data for the assessment framework. Quantitative data
were gathered from an ecological study design that associated traffic volumes with respiratory conditions in
Edmonton. Community members’ perceptions about the impacts of the freeway widening differed from those
of the expert groups in a number of areas. Environmental and health degradation was more of an issue to
community members than to expert groups. Though respiratory conditions were not projected to increase by a
significant amount because of the freeway widening, further analysis is necessary on other biophysical and
socioeconomic impacts listed in the assessment framework. The divergence in opinion between community
members and experts suggests that more communication is needed between these groups in relation to
transportation planning. The Ecohealth approach ensures that community concerns are addressed in transportation
planning.
Description
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Journal Article (peer-reviewed)
item.page.format
Text
Keywords
TRANSPORTATION, ENVIRONMENT, AUTOMOBILES, HEALTH, SUSTAINABILITY, POLICY, CANADA, AIR POLLUTION, URBAN TRANSPORT, CANADA--EDMONTON, URBAN PLANNING
Citation
Marko, Josh, Soskolne, Colin L., Church, John, Francescutti, Louis H., & Anielski, Mark (2004). Development and Application of a Framework for Analyzing the Impacts of Urban Transportation. EcoHealth, 1, 374-386. doi:10.1007/s10393-004-0045-2