Re: B次元官网网址淰ictoria looks to more car-free spaces to B次元官网网址榠ncrease safety, build communityB次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Jan 25.

More pocket parks and plazas are a great way to create safer neighbourhoods with more social interaction. However, Coun. Matt Dell asserts that this initiative will B次元官网网址渁lign with our climate goals.B次元官网网址� That requires real ambition.

VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 climate goals include substantially reducing B次元官网网址渁verage vehicle kilometres travelled per household.B次元官网网址� B.C.B次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址楥leanBCB次元官网网址� target of reducing car traffic 25 per cent by 2030 is even more ambitious, and municipalities have an ethical obligation to align with provincial climate policy.

One or two pocket parks a year wonB次元官网网址檛 do much for meeting VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 climate and traffic safety targets. Instead, we need to create multiple low-traffic neighbourboods to significantly reduce greenhouse gas pollution from transportation, as well as greatly improve livability, safety, and health.

Decades ago, road space reallocation at Fernwood Square, Gower Park, Haegert Park and Queens Park (George Jay School) created a very pleasant low-traffic neighbourhood in Fernwood. With low-cost temporary materials, many low-traffic neighbourhoods can be quickly trialed B次元官网网址� and they are usually very popular.

In 2019 Victoria declared a climate emergency, recognizing that previous climate action efforts were insufficient. We are deeper in that emergency now and need to quickly create delightful low-traffic neighbourhoods across the city and region.

Eric Doherty & Jane Welton,

climate justice team co-leads

Greater Victoria Acting Together