title: When bike lanes are not enough: An exploration of the level of traffic stress framework in Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Smith, Melissa Louise

abstract: The Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) Framework is a recently developed bicycle infrastructure classification scheme that is growing in popularity in the field of transportation planning due to its relatively simple data requirements, its intuitive description of cycling networks, and its potential to increase the uptake of cycling through application in policy and planning. However, there are a dearth of studies that aim to empirically validate the LTS Framework and its use. This thesis aims to empirically validate the LTS Framework in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand, asking: To what extent does the provision of low stress cycling infrastructure relate to cycling uptake in major cities in Aotearoa New Zealand? The Level of Traffic Stress framework is applied to seven cities across Aotearoa New Zealand that vary in population, topography, and commitment to cycling as an everyday traffic mode which results in roads being designated as either low stress or high stress. Measures of the networks formed when only considering low stress roads are tested against levels of cycling commuting across different neighbourhoods. It is found that for six of the seven studied cities, the majority of the roads are low stress, and in all seven cities, the low stress roads are poorly connected. However, there is a link between greater provision of low stress cycling infrastructure and the number of people cycling to work. The percentage of low stress infrastructure at both the city and the neighbourhood level is the only significant variable for increasing bicycle commuting levels. Further, this variable is expressed stronger at the city level than the neighbourhood level, indicating that new low stress infrastructure is likely to increase cycling uptake regardless of where it is located. Policy makers and planners can have confidence that the provision of low stress infrastructure is correlated to increased cycling uptake in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

text: When bike lanes are not enough: An exploration of the level of traffic stress framework in Aotearoa New Zealand The Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) Framework is a recently developed bicycle infrastructure classification scheme that is growing in popularity in the field of transportation planning due to its relatively simple data requirements, its intuitive description of cycling networks, and its potential to increase the uptake of cycling through application in policy and planning. However, there are a dearth of studies that aim to empirically validate the LTS Framework and its use. This thesis aims to empirically validate the LTS Framework in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand, asking: To what extent does the provision of low stress cycling infrastructure relate to cycling uptake in major cities in Aotearoa New Zealand? The Level of Traffic Stress framework is applied to seven cities across Aotearoa New Zealand that vary in population, topography, and commitment to cycling as an everyday traffic mode which results in roads being designated as either low stress or high stress. Measures of the networks formed when only considering low stress roads are tested against levels of cycling commuting across different neighbourhoods. It is found that for six of the seven studied cities, the majority of the roads are low stress, and in all seven cities, the low stress roads are poorly connected. However, there is a link between greater provision of low stress cycling infrastructure and the number of people cycling to work. The percentage of low stress infrastructure at both the city and the neighbourhood level is the only significant variable for increasing bicycle commuting levels. Further, this variable is expressed stronger at the city level than the neighbourhood level, indicating that new low stress infrastructure is likely to increase cycling uptake regardless of where it is located. Policy makers and planners can have confidence that the provision of low stress infrastructure is correlated to increased cycling uptake in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

year: 2024-02-14

title: The International Law Gaze: The ICSID Award in Philip Morris v Uruguay and the Near End of the “Aesthetic Experience”.

authors: Alvarez-Jimenez, Alberto

abstract: It was the large economic value of tobacco’s “aesthetic experience” that Philip Morris (PM) sought to preserve in its litigation against Uruguay before an international tribunal operating under the jurisdiction of the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). There, PM claimed that Uruguay was in violation of the Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay on the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments, dated October 7, 1988 (the BIT). The reason? Uruguay’s decision to enact tobacco control measures, in particular, its single presentation requirement (SPR) prohibiting tobacco manufacturers from selling more than one variant of cigarette per brand family and the increase in the size of health warnings included on cigarette packets from 50% to 80% of the surface of the front and the back (80/80 Regulation). As a result, manufacturers had only 20% of the room on cigarette packs for trademarks, logos, and other information.

text: The International Law Gaze: The ICSID Award in Philip Morris v Uruguay and the Near End of the “Aesthetic Experience”. It was the large economic value of tobacco’s “aesthetic experience” that Philip Morris (PM) sought to preserve in its litigation against Uruguay before an international tribunal operating under the jurisdiction of the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). There, PM claimed that Uruguay was in violation of the Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the Oriental Republic of Uruguay on the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments, dated October 7, 1988 (the BIT). The reason? Uruguay’s decision to enact tobacco control measures, in particular, its single presentation requirement (SPR) prohibiting tobacco manufacturers from selling more than one variant of cigarette per brand family and the increase in the size of health warnings included on cigarette packets from 50% to 80% of the surface of the front and the back (80/80 Regulation). As a result, manufacturers had only 20% of the room on cigarette packs for trademarks, logos, and other information.

year: 2017

title: Promoting social and environmental justice to support Indigenous partnerships in urban ecosystem restoration

authors: Hall, Monique

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Urban ecological restoration typically employs western science approaches to restore degraded ecosystems. As yet, few restoration groups acknowledge the history of these degraded urban sites, despite connections, past and present, that root Indigenous Peoples (and others) in these lands. Here, we promote partnership with Indigenous communities from project inception and present two successful case studies from Aotearoa New Zealand. We specifically note that partnering and building relationships with Indigenous communities in restoration efforts require recognition of power inequalities and injustices. We consider success to include both restoration of ecological function and biodiversity and reconnection of all communities to urban ecosystems.

text: Promoting social and environmental justice to support Indigenous partnerships in urban ecosystem restoration Urban ecological restoration typically employs western science approaches to restore degraded ecosystems. As yet, few restoration groups acknowledge the history of these degraded urban sites, despite connections, past and present, that root Indigenous Peoples (and others) in these lands. Here, we promote partnership with Indigenous communities from project inception and present two successful case studies from Aotearoa New Zealand. We specifically note that partnering and building relationships with Indigenous communities in restoration efforts require recognition of power inequalities and injustices. We consider success to include both restoration of ecological function and biodiversity and reconnection of all communities to urban ecosystems.

year: 2020-11-27