An American traffic engineer says Montreal needs to design its streets around people, not cars.
"Some of the benefits include lower carbon footprints, healthier cities - not just physical health but also mental health and economic health. It's really good for business actually," said Ian Lockwood, a traffic engineer.
Lockwood was invited as part of a workshop put on by Montreal health and social service agencies.
The message comes as the city and province team up to spend on road projects, such as the Turcot Interchange revamp and moving the Bonaventure expressway.
Another project, the reconstruction of Notre Dame Street, was put on hold for six months in February because the Quebec minister of transport says the cost increases are unacceptable. In 2006 the estimated cost was $750 million, but recent estimates peg the cost at $1.5 billion.
"These projects are not done yet so I think what we hear today is new ideas of how we should develop our cities, how we can improve transport for the people," says Andre Porlier, with the Regional Environmental Council of Montreal.
For decades the argument has been that building a better road will help bring people in to the city to enjoy all the city has to offer. But experts say what really happens is the exact opposite.
They are calling for greater investment in public transit.
But in this year's budget, the city said it would offer less cash to the STM as it has in previous years.
