The City is starting community consultation for the Mobility Master Plan, a plan that will determine how London plans and prioritizes transportation and mobility infrastructure, programs and policies for the next 25 years. The process begins with a call for Londoners to share their experiences getting around the city.
“Our city is growing rapidly and working towards becoming a regional transportation and mobility hub. Our future prosperity depends on the decisions we make today,” says Mayor Ed Holder. “A renewed Mobility Master Plan has the potential to improve our resiliency and economic strength as a city while having a direct impact on quality of life for people in London.”
An important distinction between the former Transportation Master Plan and the new Mobility Master Plan is the transition from “transportation” to “mobility”. Transportation is defined as the act of moving people or goods. Mobility offers a more holistic perspective, which includes options for getting around and having access to everyday needs like school, work, the grocery store, parks or health care.
“Traditional approaches to transportation planning have evolved. With this plan, we’re placing a new emphasis on access.” says Kelly Scherr, Deputy City Manager, Environment and Infrastructure. “The goal has always been to provide everyone with viable options to get around, but this study will explore how easy or challenging it is for residents to access their daily needs.”
Developing the Mobility Master Plan is a two-year process bringing together expertise and data in areas ranging from transportation and mobility to public health, equity and the environment. Conducting an equitable engagement process that enables all Londoners to participate will be a critical part of developing the plan, along with forecasting population growth and mobility needs to shape the City’s growth for current and future generations.
The Mobility Master Plan will integrate previous transportation and cycling plans into one holistic plan that complements the land use goals of The London Plan and addresses current local priorities that include:
- Improving access to jobs and daily needs
- Creating a safer city for women and girls
- Managing congestion
- Supporting affordable transportation options
- Improving city-wide transit
- Making the city more accessible for people with disabilities
- Improving connections for inter-city travel
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
London is one of the fastest growing cities in Ontario and, like many municipalities, continues to navigate an active climate emergency. The City is planning for inward and upward growth and creating vibrant, healthy, safe, and fulfilling neighbourhoods that make services accessible. Significant changes to transportation and mobility systems are already underway including the construction of rapid transit infrastructure, intelligent traffic signals, investing $40 million in active transportation infrastructure and investigating new modes of transportation like e-bikes.
Environmental sustainability is one of five guiding principles being proposed for the Mobility Master Plan. The others include health and safety, equity, financial sustainability and integration, connectivity and efficiency.
“In 2019, the transportation sector generated about 45 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions and is the single largest contributor to local emissions,” says Jay Stanford, Director of Climate Change, Environment and Waste Management. “Major adjustments and changes to how we currently travel in London will be required to meet our climate change targets.”
This spring, City staff will be visiting London neighbourhoods, conducting interviews, and participating in focus groups to gain deeper insights into the community’s mobility needs, challenges and ideas for future solutions. Feedback received will help staff refine the proposed Guiding Principles for the plan and identify key issues and opportunities to be explored.
Londoners interested in contributing their input to the Mobility Master Plan are encouraged to visit getinvolved.london.ca/mobility-master-plan to comment on the Guiding Principles and answer questions about their personal mobility experiences. Over the next two years, there will be additional opportunities to provide input on the Mobility Master Plan, both online and through events taking place across London.