Best Practice / Case Studies

Hamilton Update - Canadian Walking Master Class (CWMC) project

The following initiatives supporting walkability in Hamilton have happened since the Canadian Walking Master Class project in 2009. They have been framed according to the eight Strategic Principles of the International Charter for Walking. In addition to the initiatives listed below, results from the Master Class and the signed International Charter for Walking have been incorporated into various documents and/or provided benchmarking principles to other projects (e.g., Board of Health reports, Pedestrian Mobility Master Plan).

1. Increased inclusive mobility
   • Urban Braille Location and Implementation Report to the Planning and Economic Development Committee.
2. Well designed and managed spaces and places for people
   • York Blvd Streetscape Master Plan - re-design of York Blvd including the Hamilton Farmers' Market and the Hamilton Public Library.
   • New streetscaping at Lister Block.
3. Improved integration of networks
   • New trail under construction over 403.
   • New bridge over QEW - East Hamilton Waterfront Link.
   • East Mountain Loop Trail - the entire trail loop is 10Km. The Phase 1 section that just got constructed is 1,065m in length with 745m belonging to the City and the rest on the Hamilton Conservation Authority lands. Smart Commute Hamilton - provides the tools to increase walking trips to work.
   • Stepping it Up project - participation in a school travel planning pilot project; have recruited 15 elementary schools in low and high income areas to assess, implement, and evaluate walkability and pedestrian safety issues in school communities.
   • New Pedestrian Mid-Block Crossing Application - The Ontario Traffic Manual Book 15: Pedestrian Crossings recommended the use of a new a mid-block crossing treatment for two-lane roadways. The City of Hamilton has initiated a request to the Ministry of Transportation to be part of the pilot program to monitor the effectiveness of this treatment.
4. Supportive land-use and spatial planning
   • Public Health Services has consulted on school closure reviews.
5. Reduced road danger
   • New pedestrian signals at King/Pearl & Dundurn/Lamoreaux.
   • Hamilton Strategic Road Safety Program - steering committee that meets quarterly for the purposes of following up on action items to increase the safety of vulnerable road users.
6. Less crime and fear of crime
   • Walkability Toolkit: A Resource for Citizens - completed.
7. More supportive authorities
   • Step Forward: Pedestrian Mobility Master Plan - expected completion February 2012.
   • Longwood Road Streetscape Master Plan - Early design stages to create a pedestrian friendly streetscape along a Longwood Road a vital and emerging employment district - ongoing.
   • Fruitland-Winona Secondary Plan Urban Design Guidelines provide a number of urban design directives including a 'Green Pedestrian Promenade', Jones Road Trail, and other community features that implement the International Charter for Walking - ongoing.
   • Transit Oriented Development Design Guidelines - Council Approved design guidelines that support transit and pedestrian oriented development standards.
   • New Urban Hamilton Official Plan which provides a new and higher standard for complete communities, sustainability, and pedestrian and transit oriented community planning.
   • Pedestrian and Bicycle Benchmarking Pilot Project - electronic counting equipment has been placed at various locations in the City to identify walking and cycling patterns on City trails and bike lanes.
   • Strathcona Transportation Master Plan - a transportation master plan for the Strathcona neighbourhood with an active transportation focus.
   • Numerous Secondary Plans that have a pedestrian focus.
8. A culture of walking
   • Open Streets Hamilton - is in its second year and will hold it's fourth event on September 18, 2011 along James Street North.
   • New signs identifying Westdale on King Street West.
   • 2009 Urban Design and Architecture Awards which recognize excellent in urban design and architecture and contributions that enhance the quality, design of the built environment.
   • Victoria Park Trail Loop - recreational loop around the perimeter of the park (~1km).