Final+Paper

Final Paper media type="youtube" key="B7hgipbHBK8?rel=0" height="390" width="480"

Daniel

==Decades of uncoordinated transportation and land use planning have produced a common pattern of growth across Canada, urban sprawl and Automobile Dependency. As stated by the Victoria Transport Policy Institute:==

can provide many benefits to consumers and society. (Litman, 2002)
==Moreover, the increasing demographic explosion of the city increases the need for a more sustainable transportation system as well as connectivity of neighborhoods. The Calgary Economic Development (CED) has forecasted an increase in population of about 200,000 persons every ten years approximately. In the case of Tuscany, its population has been exponentially growing over the past decade; however, according to the Calgary Civic Census a trend suggests that its population growth will begin to level off in the near future. However, due to the fact that Tuscany is surrounded by elements such as a major roadway, greenbelts and existing communities, it is becoming the spotlight for many families as a desire place to live. Crowchild Trail and Stoney Trail are the main arteries taking Tuscanites in and out by road. Tuscany’s recently acquired transportation links squelch any concerns that it is an isolated suburb. The Stoney Trail ring road brushing past the community gives Tuscany enviable commuter routes and the neighbourhood’s public transit system will get a boost with the addition of a C-Train extension due to be complete by 2014 (Crowfoot Station is only a short drive away). Tuscany counts with two bus routes which offer easy access to the city center, routes 74 and 174. Major arteries provide convenient access to downtown and Calgary International Airport. Tuscany transportation system allows its inhabitants to obtain easy access to the LRT train. For instance, the estimated travel time from the intersection of Tuscany Blv. and Tuscany Drive is fifteen minutes, according to Calgary Transit (trip planning link Calgary Transit ). Tuscany makes use of a good land use in terms of the use of transportation to interconnect the neighborhood with other areas in the city; households need access either by automobile or public transportation to city services and goods. The various facilities associated with transportation in our communitie - roads, sidewalks, streetcar lines, rapid transit, bus stops - are the visible evidence of these necessary connections (Hodge & Gordon. 2008). That is how the road and transportation systems connecting Tuscany allow residents to enjoy good life standards with easy access to services and supplies of goods. Moreover, future plans for an extension of the LRT system will provide Tuscany with more opportunities such as permits for higher density development, the attraction for a TOD system, and a commercial revitalization focus.==

==However, as a result of the improvements in Tuscany’s transportation systems, this neighborhood will be increasing its population density due to the possibility of attracting residents from other neighborhoods. With the LRT addition, Tuscany will be improving its ingress and egress to and from major roads and important city sites. That is, a more efficient transportation system will provide benefits to not only to Tuscany but also to other areas in the NW.==

==As a result of Tuscany development, the neighborhood also requires as self-development focus on its own transportation system and connectivity in order to provide its neighbors a more sustainable environment. Tuscany needs to implement forms of connectivity that allow its residents to easily travel within the area and to other surrounding areas. For instance, Tuscany will need to implement a better connectivity system in order to facilitate easy access to its “intensive foci” or main node such as the Community Commercial (The Tuscany Market for instance).==

==The main goal of improving Tuscany’s transportation and connectivity system is to achieve its development in a less costly and more environmentally sensitive manner. This plan includes a projection for Tuscany’s next ten, twenty and fifty years’ living standards. As a result, the plan to improve mobility for Tuscany residents involves two major areas. The first area of study is Tuscany’s transportation systems within its area and to the rest of the city such as bus and train methods. The second area is the connectivity of its internal transportation system along with its main focus areas or “intensive foci”, which allow residents to access easier and faster areas within the neighborhood as well as outside it. These projects are to be implemented in a ten, twenty, and fifty year period in order to sustain the growing population of Tuscany and also the possible demand of visitors attracted to the site.==

**CREATING A 50 YEAR LEGACY PLAN**
==In order to create a more sustainable neighborhood for future generations, a full redevelopment of the neighborhood will occur. However, certain elements will be preserved such as the future location for the LRT extension, major roads, most of the current parks and schools, and some major businesses. The plan should identify the lands for permanent protection from development and lands that are appropriate for development and redevelopment. The full redevelopment of the area will take approximately 50 years and will be completed in three phases. The phases will require interval periods of ten, twenty and fifty year correspondently.==

**10 YEAR PLAN**
==The initial phase will involve the full implementation of the TOD system which will complement the new LRT extension as well as the implementation of a new bus route system and a bus station integrating the LRT station with the TOD.==

**Transportation**
==One of the most efficient ways to improve traffic flow as well as connectivity with other city sites is the implementation of a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) system that can encompass several neighborhoods in a particular area harmoniously integrating itself with the transportation system of the entire city.==

==With the introduction of the extension of the LRT, Tuscany will further become an important tool in future development of "supportive high density land use along transit corridors" (Calgary's C train, 2006: 7). That is how by implementing a TOD along with a train station; Tuscany residents will enjoy of a more efficient transportation system as well a more vibrant mixed-use neighborhood compact and walkable.==

==For many TOD areas, walking is a highly important integrated feature. According to the TOD handbook written by the City of Calgary in 2004, “transit riders start and end their trip as pedestrians” thus by creating an environment that is pedestrian oriented, we are ensuring a successful station area.==

== “The distance that a person is willing to walk to take transit defines the primary area within which TOD should occur. This distance is equivalent to roughly a 5-10 minutes walk, or 400 to 600 meters.” ==

TOD Handbook Policy (2004:4)
==**However, mutually supportive transit infrastructure such as a TOD cannot be achieved without the cooperation between proper land use patterns and built forms. That is,** Tuscany’s TOD must create limitations in order to provide a less vehicle dependency neighborhood by providing the service infrastructure to replace private transportation. In other words, the implementation of the TOD requires limitations on parking spaces. As a result, the TOD will provide a high quality of frequent transit services, mixed-use of building (commercial, office and residential), and a well design connectivity system within the neighborhood (TOD policy guidelines City of Calgary) In order to create a sustainable environment, the TOD will implement a walkable and pedestrian/bicycle oriented system, promote a low vehicle traffic, and facilitate the transit to the community. In terms of land use, the TOD will foster the use of mixed designs such as commercial in the first floor, office and residential in its towers. Also, the TOD will encourage public facilities that provide services to residents such as a clinic, which could have access to a heliport in one of the terraces for medical emergencies; recreational areas, which could include water park outside the TOD; and an entertaining facility such as a bowling center and a public library.==

==As a result of implementing a TOD, Tuscany will be able to offer a variety of services that will provide an economic benefit to the neighborhood such as employment as well as vibrant community with a flourishing economy that provides many services to its residents. Moreover, the TOD will foster the protection of the environment and a healthy environment to its residents by automobile dependency among users.==

**20 YEAR PLAN**
==This part of the project encompasses the improvement of Tuscany’s connectivity system, which involves four major areas of neighbor connectivity such as bicycle, pedestrian, urban and green ways, and child safety.==

Bicycle Connectivity
== According to the EPA, in 2003, about 81% of transportation greenhouse gas emissions came from on road vehicles (EPA, 2006, p. 7). In other words, Tuscany can improve the wellbeing of its residents by creating a bicycle system linking neighborhoods, recreational areas, shopping areas, and schools. This will result in the implementation of bicycle lanes and signed bicycle routes around Tuscany as well as a register bicycle program, bicycle rack requests, and laws involving bicycles. ==

Pedestrian Connectivity
== In terms of pedestrians, Tuscany will create a more walkable environment by allowing public access to all its amenities. This will be achieved by prioritizing the construction of sidewalks around the neighborhood, connecting residents to its main focus areas such as markets, LRT station, and TOD system. ==

DANIEL: This was what my part was about. Are you comfortable if we can cut this out because I have discussed this in detail? - Charlene

**Green and Urban Trail Connectivity**
==Tuscany will also create a program to promote greenways and trails as a source to access important accessible routes for transportation. Urban and green trails can serve both a recreational function and a source of connectivity to all the services around the neighborhood. The project will involve integrating existing trails with new proposed trails.==

**Child Safety**
==With the improvements in transportation and connectivity, Tuscany will require to offer a safety environment. Tuscany will need to actively engaged in providing a comprehensive safe walking and biking to children to travel to and from school. This will include the implementation of new sidewalks, crosswalks, a designated school zones and new traffic signalization alerting drivers. Therefore, children will have the opportunity to choose to either walk or ride their bicycles to school, promoting fitness and keeping idling cars away from children.==

**50 YEAR PLAN**
==The demand for transportation systems in areas of medium to low population density is at the present time predominantly served by private automobiles. The forecast high density population of Tuscany, due to the attraction to its LRT station and TOD, will create the need for a more sustainable, greener and economic transportation system. For this phase, Tuscany could implement a “Personal Rapid Transportation” system, also called “Network System”, which will further support high density population in small areas such as Tuscany.==

==Increasing travel demands by residents, unmet by public transportation services, tend to encourage multiple automobile ownership and use; often these additional automobiles can be neither afforded nor efficiently accommodated. As a result, Tuscany will benefit from having an economic transportation system that can provide accessibility to the main focus sites of the neighborhood.==

== The Personal Rapid Transportation system consists of small vehicles, each carrying about the same number of persons as an automobile. These vehicles would travel over an exclusive right-of-way or guide way network, either over standard routes, or else automatically routed individually from origin to destination at network stations (ultraprt.com). ==

==Personal rapid transit would provide travelers the important advantages of minimum waiting time at the origin station, and private, secure accommodations. The riders would enter one, select and register their destination, and then be transported there automatically, with no stopping (ultraprt.com). Ideally, such a system would give travelers the same privacy as a private automobile, although during peak periods in cities with particularly heavy corridor movements a traveler might have to share a vehicle with two or three other passengers.==