Brisbane should look to its European counterparts for transport planning inspiration in its quest to become a new world city, according to two south east Queensland engineers.
Sunshine Coast Council Director of Infrastructure Services Andrew Ryan and Redland City Council Development Engineer Gleb Kolenbet’s recent study tour to Spain, USA and Holland has inspired the pair with new ideas and strategies on how Brisbane and Queensland can keep pace with other international cities.
The pair was awarded the international study tour scholarship by The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia, Queensland (IPWEAQ) Foundation.
Mr. Kolenbet said the integration of active transport needed to be a priority for urban and transport planners if Brisbane was going to be recognised as a leading city.
“For the public, active transport means walking and cycling as part of your everyday routine, not just for exercise, but for planners and engineers it means prioritising pedestrians and cyclists over cars,” he said.
“Amsterdam is a great example for Brisbane as it has developed its active transport culture because people were not happy with the traffic, pollution and lifestyle they were experiencing.
He says the world oil crisis in 1973 was a major turning point, which engaged politicians in making a decision to future-proof Holland and reduce reliance on petrol-powered cars without compromising the quality of life.
“Holland has a population of about 17 million and there are now nearly as many bicycles, but it has not always been that way,” says Mr. Kolenbet.
“Car ownership was common in early 1970s due to an improving economy while bike ownership was declining because it was becoming too dangerous and inconvenient.
“It took some time, a strong political will and collaboration between governments and town planners but now they’re not looking back.
“Queenslanders are becoming more aware of the benefits of using active transport as part of their everyday living and as engineers and planners we need to encourage that cultural shift.
“Active transport options should be thought about in the planning stages and within urban transport network planning such has having dedicated cycle laneways on our roads and supporting end of trip facilities including parking, showers and lockers.”
While Queensland may still have a cultural shift to overcome its transport planning priorities, Mr. Ryan said the state was considered a world leader when it came to asset management.
“We were able to provide presentations on the Australian approach to asset management in the USA and the Netherlands,” said Mr. Ryan.
“We received positive feedback from the engineers attending who were envious our councils have sought to take a longer term view to managing and funding our assets.
“This has been led by the IPWEA over the last two decades and you can see the difference in the quality of assets on the ground.
Mr Ryan said many governments across the globe were also looking to position themselves around smart technology aimed at providing a better service to the community.
These types of discussions will be the focus of the IPWEAQ State Conference in November, held from November 8-10.
More information about the conference can be found at: https://ipweaq.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/ipwea-queensland-conference-2016/ipweaqconference2016.