Recent crime increases in the Town of Amherst have left members of the community questioning their safety while walking or biking. Due to this lack of a sense of security, UB teamed up with the town to overhaul avenues of commuting.
The plan is to provide pedestrians and bikers with easier and safer ways to get around the town. They are also encouraging children in local school districts to find more active ways to get to and from school.
Though the initiative is still being worked out, graduate students from the School of Architecture and Planning have already made progress by identifying necessary changes. The graduate urban planning studio found specific problems in commuting around the community and is beginning to formulate a plan to address these problems.
'The problem is the suburban sprawl and distance between communities and schools. These areas weren't made with walking or biking in mind,' said Derek Nichols, a graduate student in the urban planning studio. 'We've worked with youth and adult groups to figure out what the ideal neighborhood needs. We even had kids come in the studio and show us what they wanted a neighborhood to look like.'
In addition to interacting with Amherst locals and children, the studio has conducted surveys, observed the accessibility of other cities, looked at case studies and census data and compared the economic aspect of students driving to school versus walking or biking. The point is to create an environment that promotes a healthier style of commuting.
'Former generations were healthier. This generation has serious health problems, especially with obesity,' said Kelly Ganczarz, a graduate student in the urban planning studio.
'In 1969, 42 percent of children aged five to 18 walked or biked to school,' said Fenna Mandolang, a graduate student in the urban planning studio. 'In 2001, only 16 percent of that same demographic reported walking or biking to school.'
The Town of Amherst and its community are not alone in implementing these changes. In 2005, the federal government started a grant program called Safe Routes To School, which helps cities and towns affordably make transportation changes regarding students and schools.
'In 2008, Amherst applied for a Safe Routes To School grant, which provides funding for research and implementing a plan for students to get to school safely,' Mandolang said.
Although this plan is focused on improving the public health aspect of Amherst life, there would also be another benefit of walking and biking – it'll make the town more environmentally friendly.
'Our carbon footprint would be reduced as well,' Ganczarz said. 'Not only would less people be driving, but there would also be less traffic congestion, which minimizes emissions even further.'
While reshaping pedestrian and biking commuting throughout Amherst is still in the early stages of development, the urban planning studio is scheduled to have the first draft of its plan ready by the end of October. A public presentation outlining the plan will occur at the end of November or in early December.
E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
