This semester-long capstone project tasked us with researching a question that aligned with one of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals on a local level. In beginning this research process, we outlined the goals that we felt most connected to and considered the ways that these goals are reflected in our city. Throughout this ideation process we determined that we were most inclined to pursue research relating to Sustainable Development Goal 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities. This topic was then further narrowed down to focus on active transportation in the city. During a time of increased active transportation due to the surging popularity of companies such as Lime and Bird, we chose to explore the barriers that may be stopping people from engaging with active transportation, particularly through cycling, as a utility rather than a recreational activity. As a result of this process we were able to frame our research around the question “How might we reduce barriers that prevent people from embracing cycling as a form of sustainable transportation?”.
The most important outcome of this research project was our ability to share our research and generate meaningful conversation as part of the 2019 Humanly Exhibition. While we struggled to synthesize our research and it took many iterations to create a comprehensive system map that communicates our understanding of the material, our final product was something that we were both immensely proud to showcase. We took the exhibition as an opportunity to educate people who didn’t use cycling for utility about the barriers and frustration cyclists face, while also allowing those who do take part in utility cycling to contribute their own thoughts and feelings about this complex issue within the context of Calgary. Because of this, the final showcase was a successful event filled with meaningful and constructive conversation relating to the importance of facilitating utility cycling in Calgary through measures such as the implementation of safe infrastructure, formal and informal education, and cycling community-building organizations.
For this project, my partner, Sara Czerwonka, and I were awarded the Group Award for Mount Royal's Library Awards for Research Excellence in May 2020. Learn more here!