Dorina Pojani

The ‘Bicycle Snake’ in Copenhagen separates pedestrians and cyclists, allowing both to navigate the city more safely. Cycling Embassy of Denmark/DISSING+WEITLING

March 19, 2018

Cycling and walking are short‑changed when it comes to transport funding in Australia

Dorina Pojani, The University of Queensland; Anthony Kimpton, The University of Queensland; Jonathan Corcoran, The University of Queensland, and Neil G Sipe, The University of Queensland

New analysis reveals just how little is spent on cycling and walking projects around Australia. No state’s spending on cycling is more than 1.5% of its road funding.

The Urban Planning Exhibition Centre in Shanghai – good planning is immensely valuable. Jordiferrer/Wikimedia Commons

February 22, 2018

Australian cities are crying out for better planning, but the research funding is missing

Dorina Pojani, The University of Queensland; Jaime Olvera-Garcia, The University of Queensland; Jason Byrne, University of Tasmania, and Neil G Sipe, The University of Queensland

Given the challenges Australian cities face, the need for urban planning based on solid research is greater than ever. Sadly, when it comes to research funding, planning is at the back of the queue.

Only in a few active travel strongholds, typically in the inner city, do Australian cycling and walking rates get close to those in Europe. Andrew Robinson/Flickr

February 4, 2018

Australian cities are far from being meccas for walking and cycling

Dorina Pojani, The University of Queensland; Elizabeth Butterworth, The University of Queensland; Jim Cooper, The University of Queensland; Jonathan Corcoran, The University of Queensland, and Neil G Sipe, The University of Queensland

A comparison of Australian cities reveals cyclists and walkers are still very much a minority of commuters, despite the economic, health and environmental costs. Action on three fronts is needed.

After nearly a decade of operation, Brisbane’s CityCycle scheme still needs to be subsidised. Ash Kyd/flickr

December 21, 2017

Here’s what bike‑sharing programs need to succeed

Derlie Mateo-Babiano, The University of Melbourne; Dorina Pojani, The University of Queensland; Jonathan Corcoran, The University of Queensland, and Richard Bean, The University of Melbourne

Many short-term bike-hiring programs have been launched amid much fanfare, only for their popularity to decline soon after. Several key factors need to be in place for a program to work.

Movies from the “neo-noir” genre offer a darker and bleaker vision of the city, in stark contrast to the world of the TV sit-com. Tan Zi Han/Shutterstock

November 8, 2017

Movies and TV choose to tell us different stories about the cities of today

Sebastien Darchen, The University of Queensland; Dorina Pojani, The University of Queensland, and Neil G Sipe, The University of Queensland

Movies often portray the city as a dystopia, particularly in the ‘neo-noir’ genre, which explores postmodern themes. TV shows and ads present an altogether sunnier picture of life in the city.

Lots of parking: the extraordinary amount of valuable land used to park cars in most cities could soon be freed up for other uses. Antonio Gravante/Shutterstock

October 29, 2017

Freeing up the huge areas set aside for parking can transform our cities

Dorina Pojani, The University of Queensland; Derlie Mateo-Babiano, The University of Melbourne; Jonathan Corcoran, The University of Queensland, and Neil G Sipe, The University of Queensland

Cities around the world are starting to rethink the vast areas of land set aside for parking. The convergence of several trends likely will mean this space becomes available for other uses.

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