The 'ActDev' project supports evidence-based site location and transport infrastructure prioritisation around new developments, and new housing developments in particular.

View the latest programme here

Planning is in the spotlight with the recent Planning White Paper and increased scrutiny of their levels of sustainability in the run-up to COP26 to be hosted in Glasgow in November 2021.

In this context, this workshop will provide a space to discuss the relationship between active travel and the planning system.

The focus of the workshop will be a new prototype tool from the ActDev project, led by the University of Leeds in collaboration with CycleStreets Ltd, UK PlanIt, and the transport planning visualisation tool A/B Street.

The workshop will give participants a first insight into the tool with, for the first time, three key strands of evidence. When combined, these can provide a strong foundation enabling evidence-based decision-making so that the planning system can help, rather than hinder, active travel and sustainable lifestyles:

• Planning data: The PlanIt API provides access to planning application data from Local Authorities across the UK

• Accessibility data: Government Journey Time Statistics and datasets generated by the project show journey times and walkability/cyclability to key trip attractors. These will provide information on the suitability of locations, and help to identify where improvements may be necessary to enable safe walking and cycling associated with new developments

• Demographic and location data: existing travel patterns in nearby areas provide an indication of the likely travel behaviours of new residents on the site. These are incorporated into the ActDev tool as the basis of scenarios of change to show what could be possible in particular sites and where reconsideration of development location or design may be needed to avoid car dependency

The prototype web tool which we are developing can be used to visualise these key datasets and focus in on the area surrounding a potential development site

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View the latest programme here