Slide 1
DRIVING TO HAPPINESS?Team Urbanism: Josh Caplan, Tara Miller,
Chuck RennerMGT 566 Fall 2011
1
Does Driving Promote Our Happiness?
OR
Would Promoting Our Happiness Change How We Move Around?
Does driving promote our happiness? OR Would promoting our
happiness change how we move around?
2
Gross National HappinessPsychological Well-being Health Use Of
Time Community Vitality Education Culture Environment
GovernanceStandard Of Living
PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING Assesses the degree of satisfaction and
optimism in individual life. The indicators analyze self-esteem,
sense of competence, stress, spiritual activities, and the
prevalence of positive and negative emotions.HEALTH Measures the
effectiveness of health policies, with criteria such as self-rated
health, disability, patterns of risk behavior, exercise, sleep,
nutrition, etc.USE OF TIME The use of time is one of the most
significant factors in quality of life, especially time for
recreation and socializing with family and friends. A balanced
management of time is evaluated, including time spent in traffic
jams, at work, in educational activities, etc.COMMUNITY VITALITY
Focuses on relationships and interactions in communities. Examines
the level of confidence, the sense of belonging, the vitality of
affectionate relationships, safety at home and in the community,
and the practice of giving and volunteering.EDUCATION Takes into
account several factors such as participation in formal and
informal education, development of skills and capabilities,
involvement in childrens education, values education, environmental
education, etc.CULTURE Evaluates local traditions, festivals, core
values, participation in cultural events, opportunities to develop
artistic skills, and discrimination due to religion, race or
gender.ENVIRONMENT Measures the perception of citizens about the
quality of their water, air, soil, forest cover, biodiversity, etc.
The indicators include access to green areas, system of waste
management, etc.GOVERNANCEAssesses how the population views the
government, the media, the judiciary, the electoral system, and the
police, in terms of responsibility, honesty and transparency. It
also measures involvement of citizens in community decisions and
political processes.STANDARD OF LIVING Evaluates individual and
family income, financial security, the level of debt, employment
security, the quality of housing, etc.
3
Driving & Health
Obesity in Adults197647%199456%200768%
* Aggressive driving may be a factor in 50% of auto crashes,
based on the Washington Beltway Study. Source: Analysis of the
Capital Beltway Crash Problem, U.S. DOT, March 1996. * The problem
is getting worse according to the AAA. There is a compound growth
rate of 7%.
Physical inactivity and obesity rank second to smoking in their
contribution to total mortality in the United States
The incidence of overweight or obese adults 47 % in 197656 % in
199468 % in 2007.
Percent of all children who either walk or bike to school 41% in
196913 % in 2008 45 % are driven to school in 2008
4
Driving & Community Vitality
No people!Americans reportedly spend over 100 hours a year in
their cars.5
$72.5Federal Subsidies$29.02002-2008(billions)Driving &
Living Standard
OPTION 2: $1.6 billion is subsidies to Canada tar sands6
How Could We Be Going?
How could we have BETTER mobility and MORE happiness?7
Health & Car-Free SolutionsLecco, Italy
Pedibus
There are a number of great solutions around the world, of those
who are doing really innovative things with mobility that support
health, community vitality and standard of living were going to
take a look at a few interesting ones.The image youre looking at
now is from Lecco Italy near Lake ComoThe people of this community
were concerned with traffic, pollution and above all obesity 1 in 3
Italian children is overweightIn 2003 they instituted a pedibus
Basically a bus route with a driver but no bus the kids walk to
schoolIn first 4 years, they walked ~ 43 miles, with a reduction of
CO2 emissions in the air of approx 9.727,50 kgThough others have
followed suit, Its the longest running pedibus in the world8
Bogota, ColumbiaCommunity Vitality& Car-Free Solutions
Here were back to BogotaTheyve done a lot with developing more
public space in the city for pedestrians to walk aroundThey went
through an extensive effort where over 500 miles of public space
was createdThey also created what they call Cyclovia on Sundays
from 7 - 2They block off 62 miles of major arterials thats open to
bikes or skatesDuring this time, they have free activities in these
public spaces basic aerobics class, stretching, class for children
(practice w/ parents., music)Resultsmeet people, get out in fresh
air, help people, social integration, desire to make the city
better, spend time with family, better quality of life, happier,
shared living, civilty, urbanismlike a party that everyone
attendsFull of stories of people who have met and fallen in
love9
Living Standard& Car-Free SolutionsVaugan, Germany
When I had a car, I was always tense. Im much happier this
way.
Vaugan, Germany a neighborhood of Freiburg is a great example of
true eco-livingDoing all sorts of great things with green building,
energy, etc.Re: transportation cars are not allowed (except to drop
off groceries or pick up grannies); must park in the lot just
outside of the town Tram runs through the middle of the town;
streets are designed for walking / biking / playingCost of car = ~
$24K Parking costs $40K per yearGas costs ~ $1K per yearCost of
bike = ~ $200Cost of public transit = just over $600 / year10
