EA: From your perspective at Ramboll, how can sustainable transport development be used as a catalyst to regenerate and enrich communities?

Sustainable transport development can catalyse the regeneration and enrichment of communities by providing access to economic opportunities, reducing carbon emissions, and improving quality of life.

By ensuring that public transport networks and active travel options such as walking and cycling are integrated into urban planning, communities can become more inclusive and connected. This approach reduces the need for cars, thereby lowering emissions and traffic congestion while promoting a healthier lifestyle.

For example, efforts to develop 20-minute neighbourhoods where all essential services are within a 20-minute walk or bike ride can significantly improve the accessibility and livability of areas.

EA: What are some of the most effective ways to integrate inclusive mobility and equity into transport planning, particularly for underserved or marginalised communities?

Effective ways to integrate inclusive mobility and equity into transport planning include designing infrastructure that accommodates various types of users and caters to the needs of all community members, including underserved and marginalised groups. This involves:

• Targeting specific travel markets: Identifying and catering to the travel needs of those living in social rent and affordable housing, instead of using broad averages that overlook the detailed needs of low-income individuals.
• Addressing safety perceptions: Developing transport systems that address safety concerns, particularly for vulnerable groups like children. For example, making cycling safer for 9-year-olds can encourage their use and promote overall community safety.

The aim should be to ensure all community members can access economic and social opportunities. Additionally, planning should focus on creating walkable distances to public transport hubs, which then connect to broader destinations.

EA: How do you see urban planning and transport policy evolving to better support low-carbon transport solutions that also deliver meaningful environmental and social outcomes?

Urban planning and transport policy are shifting towards vision-led approaches that prioritise sustainable and low-carbon transport solutions. Examples include the integration of land use planning with sustainable transport development to reduce carbon footprints from the start of new developments. Policies such as the avoid-shift-improve model:

• Avoid: Reducing the need for travel through strategic spatial planning, such as creating high-density developments around transport hubs and ensuring that people live close to essential services.
• Shift: Encouraging more sustainable modes of transport like walking, cycling, and public transit by making journeys shorter and more accessible.
• Improve: Enhancing the efficiency of existing transport systems through advancements in technology and infrastructure improvements, focusing on reducing carbon emissions.

Moreover, integrated infrastructure planning that aligns with spatial development strategies helps ensure housing developments are supported by appropriate transport networks, thus promoting low-carbon and environmentally friendly transport solutions.

EA: What are the main barriers to embedding social value in transport infrastructure projects, and how can project teams, planners and policymakers work together to overcome them?

The main barriers to embedding social value in transport infrastructure projects include funding silos, lack of coordination between different policy areas, insufficient market intelligence as well as community resistance to change. Overcoming these barriers requires a holistic approach where planners and policymakers work collaboratively across sectors. This may involve adopting integrated planning and design services, enhancing community engagement, and using strategic frameworks such as the living well locally concept, which focuses on holistic planning indicators. Additionally, linking transport infrastructure funding to social outcomes and ensuring that all project stages consider social value can help overcome these challenges.

EA: How can we better align land use, transport strategy, and community engagement to ensure that sustainable mobility drives social value?

Better aligning land use with transport strategy and community engagement involves using evidence-based and vision-led approaches to planning. This could include integrating spatial development strategies with local plans and national planning frameworks to ensure transport networks support sustainable mobility. Engaging with communities to understand their needs and preferences is crucial for building acceptance and ensuring that transport solutions are equitable. Additionally, using comprehensive data to inform planning and ensuring policies are aligned with economic, social, and environmental goals can drive social value effectively.