National Active School Streets Initiative
National Active School Streets Initiative Project Overview
The National Active School Streets Initiative (NASSI) represents a comprehensive, multi-year project aimed at enhancing safety and promoting active transportation for students commuting to and from school. This four-year, nationwide endeavor is being led by not-for-profit organizations Green Communities Canada and 8 80 Cities, with Toronto Metropolitan University's TransForm Lab involved as an academic partner.
The initiative has secured $3 million in funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Healthy Canadians and Communities Fund, enabling implementation of active school streets in 15 communities across six provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, and New Brunswick.
Project Goals and Scope
School Streets are designated car-free zones established in proximity to schools during peak hours, encouraging students to utilize active modes of transportation such as walking or cycling. These zones are designed to create a safer and healthier environment that fosters physical activity and social interaction. The initiative's primary objectives include:
- Assisting communities across Canada in planning, implementing, and evaluating School Street interventions
- Developing a scalable model for nationwide implementation
- Addressing sustainability challenges faced by previous localized School Street projects
- Generating momentum for the establishment of child-friendly urban spaces
- Improving the physical and social well-being of children
The National Active School Streets Initiative represents a significant advancement in creating safer and more independent school commutes. Through this collaborative effort, TransForm Lab and its partners aim to establish a foundation for a sustainable, community-based solution that will benefit children, families, and neighborhoods throughout Canada.
Research Impact and Project Leadership
Research Impact and Project Leadership
Professor Raktim Mitra from Toronto Metropolitan University, a lead researcher on the initiative, emphasized the project's potential to gather crucial data on the effects of School Streets on children’s physical activity levels and independence. The research component includes a study scheduled to take place in Mississauga schools in 2025-2026, which will track participant demographics, activity patterns, and other key metrics to evaluate the efficacy of these zones. By collecting data across diverse urban settings, the project aims to inform best practices for implementing School Streets in various contexts.
Community and Academic Partners
Community and Academic Partners
The National Active School Streets Initiative involves collaboration with multiple academic and community partners, including:
Additional Resources
Audio Interview: Listen to the Metro Toronto interview by Professor Raktim Mitra discussing the National School Streets Initiative Project. Click here to download the interview.
Future Reports and Presentations: Stay tuned for upcoming reports and presentations related to the initiative.