GHG no brainer

How about a continuous system of bike lanes and paths? Affordable transit. Pedestrian friendly streets. Just for starters? Unfortunately, these obvious answers are not a given in Hamilton. Mind you, some projects are advancing the liveability factor, like the two-way conversion of York Blvd, for a recent example.

To access the Discussion Paper please go to www.hamilton.ca/climatechange

Sparking Sustained Community Action:

Greenhouse Gas Emission Discussion Paper More Than a Lot of Hot Air

HAMILTON, ON – June 2, 2010 – Hamilton is committed to taking action on climate change. The City recently released “Taking Stock: Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Hamilton” to inform and engage citizens about climate change in the City. Now that the information and facts have been complied the City is looking for community involvement and partnerships and is seeking input from citizens and business on taking action.
“Hamilton is proud to be a municipal leader taking action related to reducing the impact of climate change,” stated Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger. “We understand the pressing need to address the impact of greenhouse gases by working with our community partners. We also know that government and big business cannot do it alone and therefore, we are encouraging the ordinary citizens in our community to take action on climate change everyday.”
The City of Hamilton is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions levels by 10% by 2012, and 20% by 2020 through its Corporate Air Quality and Climate Change Plan. Hamilton has been recognized as a leader in the use of advanced fleet technology that reduces fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. It has the second-largest fleet of hybrid and other clean and efficient vehicles in Ontario and actively promotes new fleet technology. The City has also reduced energy consumption in its buildings through the Corporate Energy Policy. Blue Box recycling and Green Cart programs also reduce greenhouse gases such as methane in the community by diverting waste from landfills.
“There is an increasing number of cities and regions from around the world that are developing their own action plans to deal with climate change,” states Brian Montgomery, Air Quality and Climate Change Co-ordinator, Sustainability Section, City of Hamilton. “We are educating our community on local climate change emissions and want to partner with the Hamilton community to tackle our emissions together. As a community we need to take stock and go further to reduce our emissions. The intent of the discussion paper is to trigger discussion, insights and involvement from citizens to take action and address climate change as a community.”  
In 2009, the City undertook an Air Pollutants and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory to keep track of how much pollution is being released by the City. Community emissions were 12,758,652 tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2006, and these emissions rose to 13,131,097 tonnes by 2008, an increase of 2.9%. By 2020, if there are no programs put in place to enhance greenhouse gas emission reductions, the community's forecasted emissions will rise to 17,349,621 tonnes. This forecast is 36% above the emission levels calculated for 2006 and 56% above target of 20% reductions of 2006 levels by 2020. For more information and to access the Discussion Paper please go to www.hamilton.ca/climatechange

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Media Contacts:

City of Hamilton
Brian Montgomery, Air & Climate Change Co-ordinator
City Of Hamilton
Planning & Economic Development
Phone:  905-546-2424 Ext. 1275
Brian.Montgomery@hamilton.ca            City of Hamilton
Debbie Spence,
Communications
City Of Hamilton
Planning & Economic Development
Phone:  905-546-2424 Ext.5541
Debbie.Spence@hamilton.ca 

walk study

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Barry Gray, the Hamilton Spectator

Making Hamilton more walkable TheSpec.com - Local - Making Hamilton more walkable

Experts' study aims to make pedestrians as important as cars

Lisa Grace Marr, The Hamilton Spectator
(Feb 22, 2010)

Hamilton's got walkability potential.

That's according to a Canada Walks Master Class case study conducted by an international team of experts that will be submitted to the city's Board of Health today.

Hamilton was one of only five Canadian communities chosen for the study last year.

In 2008, Hamilton city council applied to participate in the project and signed the International Charter for Walking.

The charter's principles are to increase mobility, design and manage spaces and places for people, improve integration of networks, support land use and spatial planning, reduce road danger, have less crime and fear of crime, have more supportive authorities (like city council) and create a culture of walking.

Sharon MacKinnon, a public health nurse and case study participant, said city staff from various departments were given a chance to talk about walkability and hear from community groups.

"Our city has a reputation of being a Steel City. We have so many things to celebrate, the waterfront, the escarpment, the neighbourhoods," she said.

"There needs to be more awareness raising around the great places we do have to walk."

The report found while Hamilton has plenty of beautiful natural areas and villages to walk in, like many other North American cities, it is designed for cars and trucks.

Councillor Brian McHattie said the city can easily implement several of the report's recommendations, such as creating signage to link great walking areas such as the waterfront and James Street North.

He said the thrust of the report is to make walkability as important as road work when redeveloping or developing areas of the city.

"We don't think about the sidewalks -- maintenance or how wide they are -- these are just not discussed.

"We can't afford not to do it, even just from an obesity perspective. But it's also important for sustainability."

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO WALKABILITY

Key findings of the Canadian Walking Master Class 2009 to make Hamilton more walkable:

* Identify areas to match walking opportunities to the local population. Example: extend crossing times at lights near a seniors' home.

* Identify local neighbourhood centres (such as Dundas, Westdale, James Street North) and make pedestrian access a priority.

* Redesignate part of York Boulevard as a pedestrian street; stop trucks from travelling there to make a better environment for the Farmers Market.

* Retrofit big-box developments such as Ancaster Meadowlands to make them more inviting and accessible to pedestrians.

* Make sure walking is a priority when planning and provide spaces for pedestrians to enjoy existing streetscapes with special events in the streets.

* Reduce traffic volumes and speed throughout the city, especially the downtown, key shopping streets, around schools and residential areas.

* Consider turning one-way streets into two-way streets.

* Ensure good lighting and create areas that are not only safe, but appear safe to walk around.

* Develop local walking maps and design a distinctive signage system to support that, especially to link "walking oases" such as James Street North and the Waterfront.

* Commission and install public art and historical plaques along key walking routes to promote and enhance walking.

http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/726040