Urban transportation in Vancouver is a sensitive but important issue. There are still a lot of problems with the light-rail system in Vancouver, but overall it does a good job. To try to address deeper social and security issues with the system, Translink, Skytrain and other transport authorities in the city came together on Saturday for the Skytrian Unconference.
The idea of the “un”conference is to bring the authorities together with concern citizens in the community to address safety and security issues of Skytrain and its stations. It’s an innovative way to facilitate a conference since it is basically up to the people who came to decide on what the agenda should be and what topics they would like to talk about and develop solutions to the security issues of Skytrain. There were many interesting issues raised, from how communities can be involved to improve security in and around Skytrain stations, how the design of stations can minimize security issues, to using mobile technology to report on security problems on the train or in stations.
If you’re interested in the issue and are as big of a geek for urban transportation as I am, keep checking the Skytrian Unconference website for updates. They are going to have a report on the outcome of the conference as well as what will happen next. It was a very productive and inspiring community event, and I would suggest that if anyone comes across a community event they are interested, join in and see how you can be a part of positive movement for change in your own community. Things don’t happen on their own.
Is this where they were digging up the streets? Is that actually done and running? Not that it matters too much personally … now that the sister's out of the hospital (knock wood) I won't have a reason to go back to Vancouver unless you decide to stay for a while. But I covet actual mass transit, because it doesn't work in southern cities for some reason.