[sustran] ccMail SMTPLINK Undeliverable Message

ccMail SMTPLINK Postmaster at gatekeeper2.un.org
Wed May 14 20:39:08 JST 1997


User aliani.unescap is not defined

 Original text follows 
 ----------------------------------------------
Received: from gatekeeper5.un.org by mail-in2.un.org (SMTPLINK V2.11.01)
	; Wed, 14 May 97 06:38:33 EST
Return-Path: <owner-sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org>
Received: by gatekeeper5.un.org; id AA251175991; Wed, 14 May 1997 06:33:11 -0400
Received: from sv2.jca.or.jp(202.247.10.11) by gatekeeper5.un.org via smap (V3.1)
	id xma024743; Wed, 14 May 97 06:27:30 -0400
Received: (from majordom at localhost) by mail.jca.ax.apc.org (8.8.5/3.5Wpl5_JCA-AX-1) id TAA08414 for sustran-discuss-outgoing; Wed, 14 May 1997 19:09:48 +0900 (JST)
Received: from hil-img-3.compuserve.com (hil-img-3.compuserve.com [149.174.177.133]) by mail.jca.ax.apc.org (8.8.5/3.5Wpl5_JCA-AX-1) with SMTP id TAA08410 for <sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org>; Wed, 14 May 1997 19:09:36 +0900 (JST)
Received: by hil-img-3.compuserve.com (8.6.10/5.950515)
	id GAA10150; Wed, 14 May 1997 06:08:21 -0400
Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 06:08:02 -0400
From: "Britton (EcoPlan Paris)" <ecoplan_the_commons at compuserve.com>
Subject: [sustran] transportation and economic development
To: "INTERNET:sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org" <sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org>
Message-Id: <199705140608_MC2-1692-3D49 at compuserve.com>
Sender: owner-sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org
X-Sequence: sustran-discuss 38
Precedence: bulk
Reply-To: sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org

Tracey,

This should get you going.  I share it with the others here as well, since it is, potentially, a most useful exercise.  And once again relevant in the creative synthesis lines that I keep droning on about.

Eric Britton

From:	Sue Zielinski, INTERNET:suez at web.net
RE:	economic development report

Subject: economic development report

Hi Eric,

This is the report that was adopted by the Economic Development Committee of
City of Toronto, and sent on to City Council where it was also adopted. They
also recommended that we pursue an incubator for economic development in
sustainable tranpportation. This was a major coup to have the City formally
adopt such recommendations. We're hoping the symposium will stimulate all
sorts of stuff -- an economic development strategy as well as international
interchange on ec devel related to sus trans.

This is just for your info. Thought you might find it interesting. Cheers, Sue

****************

To: 		City of Toronto Economic Development Committee

Origin:	Sustainable Transportation Economic Development 
Initiative

Subject:	Economic Opportunities in Sustainable 
Transportation

Recommendations:

1.	That this report and attachments be forwarded to City 
Council for information.

2.	That the Economic Development Division in conjunction 
with the Toronto City Cycling Committee be asked to review 
and report on future opportunities for co-operation with the 
Sustainable Transportation Economic Development Initiative 
in further developing economic development and employment 
opportunities related to sustainable transportation in the City.

3. 	That the committee support the parallel proposal to Economic 
Development for an International Symposium on Economic 
and Employment Opportunities in Sustainable Transportation 
in the Spring of 1997 (see attached proposal)

Background:

The recent Golden Report on the Greater Toronto Area found that: 

... the region could save more than $12 billion in hard 
infrastructure costs and maintenance over the next 25 years if 
we were to adopt a more efficient, more compact pattern of 
development. We could save an equivalent amount by cutting 
back the additional costs associated with higher levels of land 
consumption and automobile use. A conservative estimate of 
the savings over the next two and a half decades is $700 
million to $1 billion annually.

Moving towards and maintaining more compact patterns of 
development and sustainable transportation not only represents 
significant cost savings, it also represents considerable economic and 
employment opportunities (see appendix #?)

The Sustainable Transportation Economic Development Initiative 
works to identify and catalyse such opportunities. It brings together a 
diversity of practical sustainable transportation economic devlopment 
projects (see next page) and it provides a forum for developing a long 
term strategy for economic development and job creation in 
sustainable transportation. 

Such a mix of practical economic development projects with long 
range strategic planning has not occurred in any other city. STEDI's 
phase one work in this area was recently presented as a paper to the 
OECD International Conference on Sustainable Transportation and 
was favourably received (as a positive model? how to phrase?). 
While countless efforts exist worldwide to shift to more sustainable 
transportation systems, seldom are these initiatives approached as 
positive opportunities for innovation, economic wellbeing and job 
creation. 

Examples of such opportunities range from new products and 
services to new technologies to new opportunities for construction, 
design, education, and tourism related to sustainable transportation 
(See appendix).

There are many advantages to an economic development approach to 
sustainable transportation, including cost savings, import 
replacement, local economic revitalization, increased tourism 
opportunities and attractions, and increased safety and livability for 
local residents. (see appendix)

The City of Toronto is in an ideal position to develop this positive, 
cost-effective initiative for a number of reasons:

* the City of Toronto's compact urban form facilitates local economic 
development and employment initiatives. This is illustrated by the 
number of initiatives already underway (see next page). The fact that 
only half of the City's downtown core residents own cars means that 
Toronto is accustomed to providing a diverse range of transportation 
options and has an opportunity to further develop these options and 
economic development opportunities.

* the City of Toronto has an international reputation for its compact 
urban form (or wise planning -- what word?) and for its provision of 
a range of sustainable transportation options. The Toronto Transit 
Commission has long been hailed as the best transit system in North 
America, and the City of Toronto has recently been named best city 
for cycling in North America. Toronto is also one of the most studied 
cities because it works. This reputation also facilitates the export of 
human capital to other cities that require expertise (I hate this word, 
but I got this phrase from Peter Finestone -- let's talk about it)

* as a "mid-Northern" the City of Toronto is an ideal incubation 
ground for innovation in sustainable transportation. Demand for 
alternative forms of transportation is on the rise. Driven by increased 
environmental and health concerns as well as rising car ownership 
costs, Toronto has seen a dramatic upsurge in cycle commuting (75% 
over the last 5 years). As well, an aging population is demanding 
post-car modes of transportation, and the physically challenged are 
also demanding new and innovative services and products to meet 
their needs. Toronto currently finds itself at the leading edge of a 
trend away from car dominated urban transportation which is poised 
to cross North America. Concerted development and support in this 
will see Toronto leading the way as a model for livable, economically 
healthy cities. 

* there is a growing niche. the human powered transportation sector 
is big business in Toronto. In the GTA, over $56 million was spent 
on bicycle repairs and accessories alone in 1991. Yet despite our 
large market Toronto has very little manufacturing. Canada as a 
whole imports ten times the number of bicycles it exports. This 
disparity is beginning to be addressed in a small way by some small 
businesses. There are currently more than 15 small to micro 
enterprises in this sector in and around Toronto, and all of them are 
less than five years old. They tend to be in a start-up position, and 
need skills development, access to facitlities, public exposure, capital, 
and support. Toronto is becoming a centre for the appropriate 
transportation industry due to its large market, its availability of 
small industrial space, and its skilled work force. Supporting these 
strengths means that businesses will locate here (reword this) (see 
appendix for just a few examples)

* many of these innovations can be easily and inexpensively 
integrated into the current system (something that says we can go 
ahead with this without having to destroy everything and build anew 
for really expensive) a la Gerry Grant -- the ways we integrate 
"competing" systems

Goals of STEDI:

It is the goal of the Sustainable Transportation Economic 
Development Initiative to identify and develop these advantages by:

* catalysing and developing new job creation initiatives related to 
sustainable transportation

* bringing together existing economic development initiatives related 
to sustainable transportation

* identifying new opportunities for job creation and wealth creation 
through provision of sustainable transportation options

* providing skills related to sustainable transportation related 
economic development

* gathering, sharing and applying essential information 

* establishing sustainable transportation as a focus for economic 
growth, job training, local community economic development 
initiatives, and intergovernmental and private sector co-operation

* providing affordable transportation options to all Torontonians and 
visitors to Toronto

Current Active Partners in STEDI (order -- alpha or how?)

Toronto Centre for Appropriate Transportation
Detour Publications
Sustainable Transportation Skills Development Programme
Community Bicycle Network
Transportation Options
Green Tourism Partnerhship
Intersection
Bikes Mean Business Initiative
Toronto City Cycling Committee Bicycle Commuter Programme
- other? how to present?

- should we also list the people we've talked to, a la OECD paper or 
would that take up too much room?
 
A Few Positive Examples of Current Activities

While there has not yet been a concerted effort to stimulate the 
sectors listed on a large scale, the economic development work of a 
number of Toronto based initiatives is breaking new ground in this 
direction. The following are just a few of the initiatives currently 
underway:

The Toronto Centre For Appropriate Transportation is 
an incubator for sustainable transportation related invention, 
design, manufacture, and co-marketing. It brings together 
inventors, designers, business people and venture capitalists 
to bring sustainable transportation product ideas from 
conception to the market. It is currently conducting a search 
for a larger space in which to house its diverse member 
initiatives. 

The Urban Green Tourism Partnership is a consortium of 
over 150 businesses, government agencies and non-
governmental organizations dedicated to creating an urban 
green tourism infrastructure for Metropolitan Toronto. 
Having recently completed its business plan and feasibility 
study, it has now begun its three major activities: Marketing 
the green tourism product by linking diverse green tourism 
initiatives; Business development and job creation in the 
green tourism sector; greening of tourism practices on an 
industry-wide basis. 

Detour Publications is a publishing and distribution co-
operative for sustainable transportation books, magazines, 
videos, resource kits, on-line resources, and products. It aims 
to be an international clearing house of sustainable 
transportation information, deriving economic sustainability 
through sales and advertising.

CBN Delivery Project is a bicycle trailer rental and delivery 
service which operates out of the Community Bicycle 
Network. It works to stimulate human powered delivery and 
service options among local businesses. Delivery businesses 
and services range from cappucino delivery to condom sales 
to Meals On Two Wheels for Shut-ins. The CBN also led the 
M.O.B.I.L.E. job creation proposal (Making Opportunities 
through Bicycle-related Innovations for Learning and 
Employment).

The Skills Development Programme for Sustainable 
Transportation is a partnerhship project that supports 
individuals, communities, and organizations in gaining 
business development skills, job skills, environmental 
advocacy skills and life skills related to sustainable 
transportation. A recent initiative by the Programme brought 
together entreprenuers and innovators interested in starting up 
their own sustainable transportation business. (need more 
here)

- what else should we mention as examples?
 
Next Steps

STEDI has successfully completed its phase one project with the 
assistance of $100,000 in funding from Jobs Ontario Community 
Action, and other cash and in-kind contributions from a wide variety 
of participants.

As it enters phase two, STEDI anticipates the following needs:

* in-kind support in the form of staff and other human resources, as 
well as an ongoing relationship with the City to maintain and 
increase contacts in this field

* cash support to support a symposium to further the dialogue. We 
have recently submitted a proposal for an international symposium 
on Economic Opportunities in Sustainable Transportation to be held 
in the spring of 1996, which would have the purpose of focusing on 
practical projects, long term strategies, and Toronto's role in making 
this happen.
 
Appendix # 1 -- Economic Benefits of Sustainable Transportation

* Sustainable transportation saves money:

- new urban expressways can cost up to $100 million per 
mile, whereas rail or bike facilities on average cost $15 
million and $0.1 million respectively

* Sustainable transportation infrastructure often creates more jobs 
and better jobs than automobiles do:

- a long range planning study by Montgomery County, 
Maryland found that focussing most new urban growth in 
pedestrian and bicycle friendly clusters along an expanded 
rail and bus system and revising commuter subsidies to 
discourage the use of cars would enable the county to double 
its current number of jobs and households without 
exacerbating traffic congestion (citation)

- a recent German study showed that highway construction 
generates the fewest jobs of any public infrastructure 
investment. Spending one billion Deutche Marks ($580 
million) on highways yields onely 14,000 - 19,000 jobs 
compared with about 22,000 jobs in railway tracks, or 
23,000 in light rail construction (State of the World report, 
1992) 

* Sustainable transportation infrastructure often improves worker 
productivity:

- a recent U.S. study looked at the impact of government 
transport expenditures on worker productivity. A 10-year, 
$100 billion increase in public transport spending was 
estimated to boost worker output by $521 billion -- compared 
with $237 billion for the same level of spending on highways. 
Public transport investments began returning net benefits 
nearly three times as quickly as highway expenditures 
(Marcia Lowe, WW 118)

* Sustainable transportation is more likely to keep money local:

- a recent study by the Los Angeles Regional Transportation 
Commission showed that 85 cents on every dollar that local 
residents spend on gasoline leaves the regional economy, 
much of it leaving the country as well. In contrast, out of 
every dollar that buys a fare on public transport, an estimated 
80 cnets goes toward transit workers' wages: Those 80 cents 
then circulate in the local economy, generating more than 
$3.80 in goods and services in the region (Marcia Lowe, 
World Watch # 118)

- a Washington-based study found that for every dollar of 
public spending on rebuilding and operating its transit 
system, $3 would accrue to the state and the region as a direct 
result of improved transport. The total economic impact, 
indluding increases in business sales, jobs, personal income, 
populations, and the accompanying rise in state and local tax 
revenues, would be nine dollars for every dollar invested 
(Marcia Lowe, World Watch # 118)
 
Appendix 1 Continued...

* Sustainable transportation stimulates retail sales:

- In a survey of 105 town centres worldwide, where auto 
traffic has been restricted, the Organization for Economic Co-
operation and Development found that retail sales rose in half 
the cities and fell in only two

Appendix # 2 -- Description of Sustainable Transportation
 
Appendix # 3 --	

Practical Examples: Job Types Related To Infrastructure Shift

        As the evidence suggests, a new infrastructure could provide as 
many possibilities for job creation as there are possibilities for job 
loss caused by global restructuring. Whatsmore, a locally based re-
infrastructuring not only means more jobs, but also has the potential 
to increase employment equity through increased diversity and 
flexibility of job options. In other words, re-infrastructuring our cities 
and our economy would move us away from a tendency to 
employment monoculture. The following is a list of possible jobs 
generated by the creation and maintenance of a sustainable 
transportation economy.

Technology for a Sustainable Infrastructure. Software design and 
maintenance for trip reduction through telecommuting, 
videoconferencing, IVHS applications to transit efficiency, road 
pricing systems, car pooling and transit pooling databases, and 
networking bulletin board systems; Signalling technology design for 
transit, bicycle and walking priority; Alternative fuel and safety 
systems for trains and transit vehicles

Research and Development for Sustainable Infrastructure. 
Research and development of human powered transportation and 
freight technologies; Economic, Social, and Transportation Policy 
and Research; Academic and private sector research on sustainable 
transportation in the fields of: Engineering; Planning; Architecture; 
Urban Studies; Environmental Studies; Psychology; Social Studies.

Design for Sustainable Infrastructure. Sidewalk widening; street 
design, traffic calming and bike lane design; Architechture and 
retrofitting of auto infrastructure, and design of local depots; Train 
and transit design; Bicycle Trailer and delivery vehicle design; 
Designs for bicycle security; Transit route design; Bicycle 
transportation fashion design.

Construction and Deconstruction of Sustainable Infrastructure. 
Construction of traffic calming infrastructure and bike lanes and 
facilities; Unpaving urban parking lots and unnecessary roads and 
highways; Urban horticulture to infill old parking lots with food and 
plant growth; Re-design of car-centred architecture; Secure bike 
parking

Producing and Manufacturing for Sustainable Infrastructure. 
Trains and Transit vehicles; Bicycle industry -- bicycles, delivery 
vehicles, bike parking, and accessories; Concrete, bricks and cinder 
blocks for widened sidewalks, bike lanes and street redesign; Bicycle 
transportation fashion and accessory production

Services for Sustainable Infrastructure. Tourism: non motorized 
tours; information / maps; historians / cultural experts; 
Accompaniment and Delivery vehicle services for youth, aged, 
disabled (meals on two wheels...); Car and van rental for heavy 
hauls; Driver leasing for non-drivers; Bicycle Security; Bike & Blade 
Retail, Repair and Rental; Bicycle and walking delivery; Bicycle 
Lane Maintenance and clearing; Community bus or car pool drivers; 
Car Use Reduction Program Planners and Company Transportation 
Co-ordinators; Human Powered Vendors; Insurance
Phasing out and Cleaning Up of Unsustainable Infrastructure. 
Transition Counselling for job transitions from auto and other  
sectors; Car dependence counsellors; Programs to help people 
embrace new options

Maintaining Sustainable Infrastructure. Transit vehicle, train, and 
bicycle repair; Transportation co-ordinators; Transit and Train 
operations; Car pool co-ordination; Neighbourhood transportation 
managers; Telecommuting managers and co-ordinators; Community 
organizing

Education and Communication for Sustainable Infrastructure. 
Publishing: books, maps, magazines, information; Distribution; 
Bicycle education and maintenance Courses; Bicycle events; 
Teaching; Advertising sustainable transportation options.

Appendix # 4 -- Symposium Framework
 





More information about the Sustran-discuss mailing list