The council and the car
This collection brings together resources on how local governments can navigate around the complicated issues of cars, traffic and transportation. We bring together new research, think pieces and policy briefings to help councils drive the agenda on getting from A to B.
New research
Parking strategies and innovation – a brand new report on parking and how a new way to procure parking apps could see the sector moving faster on innovation. UK focused with lessons from Europe.
Personal and public transportation
Few ‘everyday’ issues are as contentious in local government as parking, traffic, potholes, roads and cars.. From drivers who want convenience and businesses who want easy access for customers, to people who want cleaner air and quieter streets. These issues attract passion and emotion. There are campaigners who want low traffic neighbourhoods no matter what the impact on businesses or other residential areas and activists who want to see the end of private cars in urban areas. There are misinformation merchants who claim that 20 minute neighbourhoods are a conspiracy to keep us locked in our homes and entitled motorists who want few restrictions without regard to the negative externalities on climate, pedestrian deaths or air quality. And there are those of us in the middle, who’ve longed for better options for cycling, who want better air quality, but also want to be able to use cars for complex multi-stage journeys or to overcome mobility challenges.
Local governments have to deal with it all and keep the show on the road, supporting healthier communities, helping people get where they need to be and reducing pollution and CO2 emissions.
We’re highlighting brand new research on the use of technologies previously employed elsewhere in Europe to support effective parking strategies that can help balance some of these competing needs. And we’re sharing a collection of some of our recent work that can help councils work with citizens to find the best solutions for their areas.
Global lessons
Global Local builds on lessons from local governments around the world. We highlight past editions on transportation and mobility infrastructure and a brand new edition on the council and the car.
E-mobility
The case for electric vehicles (EVs) is plain. Yet making them the rule rather than the exception on our roads is another matter entirely. In this issue of Global Local, we explore how local policy can facilitate improved uptake and management of electric vehicles – of all shapes and sizes. Read it here.
Road maintenance
Potholes are the bane of any local politician’s inbox, but there’s more to it than cold patching. This edition looks at innovation in roads maintenance, new technologies and tackling the infrastructure skills gap. We also tell you exactly how potholes form and whether they impact local elections. Read it here.
Weatherproof active travel
This edition of Global Local focuses on how local government can help to make active travel safe and appealing all year round. Read it here.
Infrastructure planning and maintenance
How local authorities can manage and maintain critical transportation infrastructure.
| Road maintenance in Irish local Authorities | We zone in on Road Maintenance (Regional and Local Roads) in Local Authorities from the Local Government Audit Service (LGAS) Value for Money (VFM) Reports in Ireland. |
| Planning for electric vehicles | Sales of electric vehicles (EV) have doubled in the past two years. This short-read briefing looks at the role of Australian local government in supporting the EV transition. |
| UK Infrastructure Review | The National Infrastructure Commission’s report, “Infrastructure Progress Review 2022”, considers the UK government’s progress in meeting infrastructure targets and the feasibility of meeting longer-term aims. We highlight areas where the government is struggling and runs the risk of failing to meet longer-term delivery. |
| Infrastructure skills and workforce | a summary of Infrastructure Australia’s (IA) Infrastructure workforce and skills supply report. The report explores skills required in the public infrastructure sector, the current and emerging pressures facing the workforce, future supply chains considerations and constraints. |
| Movement and place tools for integrated planning | This briefing provides a summary of Movement and Place frameworks and tools from NSW, Victoria, London, and New York. It will be of interest to those involved in transport and infrastructure planning, reimaging land use and public open space managers, as well as project delivery and place management. |
| The benefits of tactical urbanism, making room for active transport and parklets | COVID-19 sparked a local government renaissance on rolling out pop-up cycle lanes and outdoor dining: elements of tactical urbanism deployed to reimagine how we use roads and car parks. This briefing will looks at the environmental, social, and economic benefits of repurposing public spaces, particularly roads and car parks, to these non-car uses. |
| The impact of new technology on transport | New approaches to mobility will require changes to the way public spaces are configured, the way councils gather and publish data, to both their planning policies and environmental policies at the very least. |
| Planning for electric vehicles | Sales of electric vehicles (EV) have doubled in the past two years. This short-read briefing looks at the role of Australian local government in supporting the EV transition. |
Maintaining infrastructure
Infrastructure planning and maintenance is essential for efficient transportation. Whether it be roads and bridges for cars or designing and creating the infrastructure that helps people to make connections and feel safe walking and cycling, local authorities are the linch pin for the last mile and the first.
We’ve gathered some of our resources focusing on transport infrastructure including our member only briefings and resources that are available to everyone.
For everyone:
The City of Brimbank’s 5G Road Maintenance Research – cutting edge road surfacing and road maintenance in Australia.
In Coventry, the future is electric – truly a motor city in the UK, Coventry is branching out into new types of industrial infrastructure.
How BladeBridges are repurposing wind turbines and active travel Tackling the dilemma of growing wind energy adoption and no sustainable disposal solution, BladeBridge.ie offers a way to repurpose blades into blade bridges, a cost-competitive option to traditional bridges with added environmental advantages.
An oldie but a goodie The black hole of politics – a lighter look at potholes.
Managing externalities
Whether air pollution or CO2 emissions, there are environmental consequences to travel and transportation. We look at how local government can help manage the impact.
Changing driving behaviours
Could changing the way we tax driving help us achieve net zero? If the Scottish Government wants to achieve net zero emissions by 2045 then the rate of travelling by private car has a huge role to play in realising that goal, but how can we change our ways?
Collection: tackling pollution
This collection of LGIU looks across the broad spectrum of pollution, including managing air pollution and emissions from transportation. Explore the collection here.
Do emissions-controlled zones work? A review of the results
There are over 250 low-emission zones across Europe, with some operating for more than two decades. Low-emission zones are defined areas where polluting vehicles are prohibited in some way. This briefing reviews international evidence with analysis for the Australia where emission zone have not yet been introduced. Read it here.
Compact, connected places
Sometimes called 20-minute neighbourhoods or 15-minute cities, the concept captures the idea that most of what you need or want can be provided within a short travel time – often by walking or cycling. This requires a sometimes different approach to mixed use of areas, creative planning and community engagement.
Sometimes surprisingly controversial, developing approaches that support rich, convenient and connected living in a place can radically improve the quality of life of those who live there.
New collection: See our freshly updated collection of LGIU resources or see our most recently published briefings and articles.
| Accessibility and the 15 minute city | This briefing explores a common critique associated with the 15-minute city model. In its various iterations, from the 30-minute to the 15-minute, and even the 5-minute city, speed matters: but who does it serve? And how can its adoption engage the meaningful participation of all citizens? |
| 20 min neighbourhoods, how does it work for rural communities | Drawing on case studies from across the UK this briefing will take a specific look at what the 20-minute neighbourhood approach might mean for rural communities. |
| Engaging children and young people in place making | This briefing draws on a diverse range of international case studies to explore how local governments can work with children and young people to achieve healthier, sustainable and more inclusive neighbourhoods. |
| 20 minute neighbourhoods USA experiences | Urban sprawl and the ongoing lack of adequate transport and service infrastructure is a huge challenge for urban communities across the US. This article highlights key examples of how several US cities are adopting the 20-minute neighbourhood concept to overcome the challenges. |
| Global Local: Rural 20 minute neighbourhoods | We’re examining whether the 20-minute neighbourhood concept can be successfully implemented in more rural settings with global examples. |
