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AGM 2005


Member Organisations:

Most of the time in this working group was spent brainstorming what types of resources (either physical, financial, skill, etc.) the member organisations present were lacking. Then we analysed in what ways the network could assist with these. About 80% of the "missing resources" brainstormed are or could be provided by the network in some way:

  • Closer ties with groups around world working on same issues (already provided by WCN)
  • Funding for publishing of Hungarian version of Car Busters magazine (to be provided by WCN, under Visegrad Publications Project)
  • WCN Publications (back issues of Car Busters, books, videos, etc. (already provided by WCN)
  • Global facts & figures on car dependence and alternatives (already provided by WCN under Freesources on website; could be improved)
  • Joint campaigns (already provided by WCN; member organisations are free to launch new joint campaigns)
  • Funding for projects (already provided by WCN; network projects are prioritised and fundraising resources are allocated accordingly; WCN's fundraiser will also inform member organisations of current grant opportunities)
  • Process of decision making (already provided by WCN in terms of offering the network's own decision-making process, using trained facilitators, and continually aiming to improve the process)
  • In-person knowledge- and experience-sharing with similar groups (already provided by WCN, via annual conference and other meetings)
  • The successes and failures of other groups, and what we can learn from them (somewhat provided by WCN, in terms of articles of success stories in Car Busters magazine, campaign reports, presentations at annual conference, etc.)
  • Training in campaign skills and strategy, fundraising, facilitation, etc. (to be provided by WCN seminar in Czech Republic in May 2006)
  • Training in building and developing websites (not offered because it would have to be specific to the software chosen by each local organisation; best to seek help locally)
  • Pamphlets/presentations about WCN for outreach purposes (new pamphlet to be available immediately after AGM; general Powerpoint and article about network to be provided in future)
  • Better communication tools and technical assistance with those tools (WCN uses Skype, listservs and Wiki as communication tools between meetings; network provides "netiquette" guidelines, opportunities to use Wiki pages, and could give advice regarding Skype, although Skype information is found at skype.com)
  • Advice on ways to motivate volunteers (not currently provided by WCN, but could be the topic of a training at May 2006 seminar; also anyone can search the web for articles on the topic)
  • Technical equipment, cameras, computers, etc. (WCN could connect people with the Dutch nonprofit group _____, which donates used computers to Central and Eastern European NGOs)
  • Database of best practices (WCN could perhaps provide links to reports on best practices in certain specific topic areas)
  • Database of existing projects (WCN has a listing of all network projects, but not projects outside the network; could perhaps provide Wiki page where member orgs list their projects)
  • On-line knowledge base (WCN plans to provide how-to guides on specific subjects in the members section of the website)
  • Nonprofit status to make fundraising easier (WCN is currently registering as a US nonprofit, which could then potentially lend this "501(c)(3)" status to member organisations)
  • Clear guidelines about what can be a WCN project (the WCN statutes say: _____)
  • Skill trainings in bookkeeping, financial management and volunteer coordination (WCN can not easily provide assistance with the first two, as there is much variation between countries and it would be best for people to take an NGO accounting course in their own country; volunteer coordination is something that keeps coming up and could perhaps be offered as a training at the network's May 2006 seminar)
  • Examples of collective and consensus-oriented volunteer organisation structures that work (a lower priority, somewhat beyond the scope of the network)
  • Internal organisational structure stability (beyond the scope of the network)
  • Regional hubs or conferences for networking and info-sharing on regional/local issues, etc. (has not been prioritised so far; already ambitious to have an annual conference somewhere in the world)

International Coordination Centre:

The group discussed the role of the ICC and what people would like to see from the ICC in the future. The discussion covered the many different tasks the ICC currently does, and there were many suggestions for these specific tasks.

With a view towards reeducing the amount of busywork for the ICC, it was suggested that we could kill two birds with one stone by having members do more Network jobs (compiling the bulletin was mentioned). This would have the added benefit of increasing member involvement in network activities. Another member task would be to get regular updates and news from members so that the ICC doesn't have to spend so much time putting together the bulletin and magazine. It was agreed that the main hurdle here is to instill "good habits" so that people regularly send such reports. One possibiilty mentioned was to allow members to place news straight on the home page, but this was considered low-priority.

Other specific suggestion: Create an on-line database of resources such as studies, reports, actions, etc. (searchable by topic, "direct action," "report," etc.)

A separate idea was to set up a media working group [which was established after the AGM].


Priorities and Long-Term Strategy:

I. Strategy: The working group began a discussion on WCN long-term strategy. A significant concern was expressed by several members of the group that the "Goals and methods" section of the Statutes (which was displayed by the facilitator) primarily focuses on methods, and that overall the definitive goals of WCN are unclear. The facilitator pointed out that such concerns should be brought to the Statutes Working Group and are not within the scope of this discussion which is aimed at strategic goals. 1. The facilitator had prepared a chart which included goals, strategies and messages outlined in the WCN Charter and Statutes and in existing projects, and asked participants to add to as many other goals, strategies and messages to the chart as possible. 2. The group listed a number of additional strategic goals (defined as 5- to 10-year goals) by brainstorm and attempted to rank them by importance to the group at this time. Generally, greater cooperation between member groups was identified as a high priority. Public awareness of the issues and about WCN followed closely, as did mitigating mechanisms such as promoting alternative transport and bringing destinations closer. Concrete benchmark projects, such as developing a WCN-sponsored carfree area, were lower priorities. There was significant concern that these concrete projects are not realistic in the medium term. 3. In order to pursue these strategic goals, we also listed strategies (methods). Most of those strategies listed are already employed by WCN, such as promoting walking, cycling and rickshaws. New strategies that were emphasised were 1. working with the European Social Forum and World Social Forum, 2. campaigning for carfree bridges, 3. organising workshops other than TCFC and promoting mobility for children, people with disabilities, the elderly and other people who can not drive. 4. There was not much time for discussion of messages and target groups, and there appeared to be a lot of confusion about it. There was no particular group understanding about messages. 5. Conclusions: There were no binding decisions on strategy but there was a strong sentiment that we need more discussion on goals, methods and messages. We brought this to the attention of the full AGM in our report.


World Carfree Day:

We want to work on getting super cool and juicy bits of information to give out on World Carfree Day. Arie is interested in submitting a grant to the EU, so please talk to her about this.

1. Fundraising
- Visegrad grant for printing - translation into languages of Visegrad (Poland, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian)
- Grant of European Youth Foundation - to be shared among six groups. - We need to gather web pages of member orgs and ask them to give us some info about their local sources, which we would add to the Carfree Green Pages.
- Our web page is to be updated soon with basic info on fundraising options and guidelines on how to manage press.

2. Useful resources, succesful stories and amazing ideas
- Many sources to be found on our web page: www.worldcarfree.net/wcfd/
- (including free samples of poster and e-card to download)
- Contacts for many local groups to be found at our Carfree Green Pages at www.worldcarfree.net/greenpages/
- Further discussions with Agnieszka Gorczynska from Obywatel member organisation about getting a translation to English of a comic book, which could then be downloaded from our webpage.
Good things to do:
- measure noise, polution, ecological footprint
- talk to universities and make them join to get more prestige
- talk to businesses to get sponsorships/funding
- get some famous and well respected people to support the event, have a speech and interview in media
- to organise competition for the best organised event during WCD
- get free public transport during WCD
- itīs good to organize a publicity march to get media attention
- have a competition for the oldest bike/biker in town
- street theatre, musical event
- film night
- carfree breakfest
- to put up chairs on the streets, turn them into living rooms
- get the mobile operators to send text message to all mobile phones and inform people about WCD

What is absolutelly essential to do:
- to have good coverage by media
- leaflets
- posters
- pass the message to the public and other targets groups
- to get the support of local council and polititians
- to coordinate the event with other local groups

We have to ask participants to give us their local web pages contacts.

3. Outreach
- press
- TV
- Radio
- Sponsors and funding
- Volunteers to help to organise the events
- Local schools
- Other
- Public transport companies
- Train companies
- Questionare to give to people to get some feedback
- Other related groups

4. Potentional advantages and disadvantages
- for those cities that sign the European Carfree Day/Mobility Week Charter, they must "set aside one or several areas that are reserved solely for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport during the entire day" and implement "at least one new practical measure in the local authority and which contributes to modal transfer from the private car to sustainable modes of transport and to a more sustainable urban mobility in general."
- there is a rule of EU about polution limits, which if they go over certain limits, the mayor has to calm down the traffic.


Worldcarfree.net:

It was explained that the WCN website is a bit like a fruit stand, offering information like bits of fruit to those that come to visit. Some things (road signs) that can make it easier to access the information (fruit) include:
- a search function, and
- a site map
- better navigation: shop, information resources (studies and reports), activist resources
- input

The private members-only section could have more photos of ourselves, including members of the advisory board, steering committee, or possibly photos of member group contacts.
We could also have:
- a calendar of events
- a "How-to Guide"
- a "FAQ", or Frequently asked Questions

It was noted by Joel Crawford that since none of these things needed to be approved by the AGM, that maybe next year this discussion could happen during the project development day on the Thursday instead of taking up more valuable time at the AGM. Steve noted that this discussion is similar for the Car Busters magazine discussion.


Towards Carfree Cities VI - Bogota:

It was agreed again that TCFC VI will be in Bogota. There is a need to make the conference more interactive, possibly 1/3 of the content could be more active. Organisers want the conference in one venue, such as a hotel, as security is also an issue. This would likely not incur higher costs, and the group that met agreed that this idea seemed fine.

In the afternoon there could be more active things to do and have workshops in the morning, as it is hard to focus all day on learning. There could also be a video conference, or video link, so people who can't or don't want to travel can be involved. We could learn more technical things about how South America has been transforming transportation.

Also, we have agreed in the past the idea of rotating the conference every two years between the Americas and Europe. It was never the intention to have lots of Europeans attending a conference in the Americas, or lots of Americans attending a conference in Europe. Then more people can participate without travelling so far; people can simply attend once every two years. (Many other conferences are held only every two years.) One person mentioned wanting to travel by boat from Europe, and she was recommended to make a concrete proposal and send it to the group.

There was a discussion about the fact that a contract needs to be ratified soon. There is agreement that the host organisation in Bogota needs to sign the agreement by August 12. It is confirmed that the conference is to be named the Spanish equivalent of "Towards Carfree Cities." If the ICC has not received a signed version of the contract by August 12, 2005, the ICC will notify the WCN Steering Committee which will then seek an alternate Conference Host City/Organisation. This was agreed upon. [Note after AGM: The contract was in fact signed by August 12, 2005, therefore the conference will be held in Bogota.]

As for the next AGM, there will be a process to be as inclusive as possible for people who can not attend. It is also clear that there will likely not be money for Advisory Board to go, and also possibly there will also be no money for ICC staff and Steering Committee to go to Colombia.

If by February 15, 2006, it does not look feasible to hold the 2006 AGM with maximum network participation at the Towards Carfree Cities VI conference in Bogota, the Steering Committee will be advised to choose an alternate location, which may be the network's planned and funded May 2006 meeting in the Czech Republic.


Minutes from Thursday project meetings:


Carfree Institute, workshop held July 21
Informal minutes

The workshop began with introduction by Arie Farnam of mostly EU funding possibilities. Joel then gave an introduction to his ideas on a Carfree Institute. After a lengthy general discussion--highlights given below--the group split up for separate discussions, then regrouped briefly at the end to share the main issues in each smaller group, and to have a final quick discussion.

Potential projects (thought of by Joel): Carfree survey, comparative analysis software, 3-D Fractal-based city builder, self-propelled or short-wire tram.

Last year was a first working group meeting of the carfree institute, which would be a research and training institute to undertake research, and eventually perhaps become a degree-granting institution. There is as yet no funding to start it. We need to build credibility by becoming a partner in an existing research project.

Question: should we aim for low-budget projects with high influence on policy, or bigger-budget projects which are more academic? May make sense to define first what we are trying to achieve, then decide what types of research will be most likely to accomplish our objectives.

What happens with academic research that is already being conducted or has been conducted? We should focus on what will make a difference, e.g. existing carfree areas: how are they working, how do they solve problems, how big is the demand for them, etc. Or on potential solutions to freight problems (possibly tech-focused and big budget), which could involve prototyping; possibly partner with companies which would benefit.

We may need both practical applied research projects on the ground. We have gaps in our knowledge about building carfree cities. Two general areas of research could be policy and knowledge base (gaps in technology to make cities carfree).

We should first identify our research needs/questions, what information do we need--theoretical possibly leading to practical.

There is a difference between information to change policy and improving knowledge for carfree cities.

We could create a carfree manual, incorporating policy, analysis, strategies, and surveys, encouraging cooperation among WCN members. The manual would contribute to the theoretical? knowledge base, and include quality of life indicators.

Project ideas that were brainstormed during the meeting were (in no particular order): 1) Transportation policy for poverty reduction and social equity; 2) Feasibility of medium-sized carfree new settlements (in selected regions in Europe); 3) Simple and "non-intentional" best practice, presented for local governments; 4) Mobility, livelihood, shelter and gender impact; 5) Carfree manual handbook: policies, theories, indicators, mobility, surveys, analyses.

We could connect car-free like institutes and create virtual mass; come up with a common carfree language. We could conduct case studies on carfree areas, study missing pieces (technologies) and other development issues to bring other groups on board.

We could also look not only at carfree cities, but at other places which are breaking the mould, like Bogota.

The group then split, with one group discussing studying carfree cities, and those from Asia discussing research ideas; others held independent discussions.

The Asia group consisted of China (Xu Feng of Beijing Uni), India (Rajendra Ravi of Delhi), and Debra Efroymson (Bangladesh). The Asia group discussed doing a similar research project but with different methodology in (at least) our three countries, with these main issues:

1) Problems faced by NMT in developing countries
2) Problems caused by growth in cars (basically a literature search): poverty, equity, environment, gender, health, national economy, climate change, marginal and vulnerable groups (children, disabled, elderly), global insecurity over oil, quality of life.
3) Best practices in our countries (e.g. smaller cities still highly reliant on NMT) and in rich ones
4) Suggestions and recommendations

One issue would be to show that we want bicycles not because we're poor, but because bikes are good; also to show that rickshaws are not our weakness but our strength, and to develop alternative concepts of development.

Debra will send an outline to the Asia group members with questions/areas to fill in; Debra will investigate the possibility of including Vietnam, and Rajendra of including Bhutan and Nepal. Depending on the size of the budget, PATH Canada could potentially fund at least part of the research. The research would lead to reports in different languages, and a summary report in English; further discussions will ensue about the topics themselves, the audience, and a dissemination plan.

The other group discussed updating the existing database on carfree areas, including demographics, travel patterns, employment, housing, history, and practical issues (garbage, freight). We should inventory what already exists, and do indicators and feasibility assessments. Conall O'Cathain was nominated to take the lead for the second group in pulling ideas together and ensuring ongoing communication. He reluctantly agreed. A couple people in the group have connections to European universities, which will help with the process of seeking EU funding.

Final discussions of the workshop group:
WCN should include more outreach to academic groups; we could link institutes via interested people, including Ecoplan.


Carfree Area Pilot Project, workshops held July 18 and 21
Informal minutes

Draft project description:
The network is exploring the idea of launching a pilot project in which cities around the world would compete to be the test site for a transformation of an existing urban area (of a certain minimum size) into a carfree and motor-vehicle-free area. The chosen area would be transformed in such a way that the area becomes human-scaled, lively, architecturally rich, and with a high concentration of destinations and events. The winning city or cities would receive financial, consulting, and/or other support from World Carfree Network and its partner organisations, although the process of the transformation and the appearance of the project would be shaped by local people.

Attendees of one or both Budapest project development meetings:
Markus Heller - Berlin, Germany - i...@autofrei-wohnen.de
Walter Hook - New York City, USA - w...@itdp.org
David Brasfield - Oslo, Norway - dleifs...@yahoo.com
Gus Yates - Berkeley, USA - g...@carfreecity.us
Christelle Godinho - Paris, France - christelle.godi...@paris.fr

Beat von Scarpatetti - Zurich, Switzerland - b.v...@clubderautofreien.ch
Kostas Tsourlakis - Athens, Greece - p...@pezh.gr
Jeff Rosenblum - Boston, USA - rosenbl...@gmail.com
Franz Skala - Vienna, Austria - off...@oekostadt.at
Marc Shafroth - Madison, USA - mtgh...@yahoo.com
Janneke Zomervrucht - Delft, The Netherlands - j.zomervru...@3vo.nl
Silke Schilling - Berlin, Germany - commonsense4cit...@yahoo.co.uk
Ed Bedard - San Francisco, USA - edbed...@yahoo.com
Randy Ghent - Prague, Czech Rep. - rgh...@gmx.net

Others who expressed interest prior to Budapest:
Roy Allen - location? - windandwa...@frontiernet.net
Lisa Quinn - Seattle, USA - mightylqu...@yahoo.com
Kari Mosden - Seattle, USA - k...@transportationchoices.org
Lloyd Wright - London, UK - lfwri...@usa.net
Joel Crawford - Lisbon, Portugal - mail...@carfree.com

Meeting notes from Budapest:
1. Randy provided a description of the project, similar to the one above.
2. Walter raised the issue of funding, and suggested we develop a two-page concept paper for potential funders, and leave the details for later. Potential funders mentioned include UNEP, Global Environmental Facility (GEF), Ford Foundation and the European Commission. GEF would require a certain amount of control over the project, possibly more than we would like.
3. Because World Carfree Network is fairly young and has not managed a project on this scale, it would be necessary to have project partners such as UN HABITAT, GTZ, ITDP, etc.
4. We discussed whether the project should reward initiatives already existing/underway, or provide a stimulus for a new initiative. Consensus was for the latter. (We want to help create something new, not just recognise what's already been done.)
5. We were in favour of having certain minimum requirements for applications, and then to have a "blue ribbon" panel judge the applications via a point system. Two people mentioned as possible judges were Enrique Penalosa and Jan Gehl. They need to be respected, high-profile people to confer credibility. There is already an existing panel ("Urban Visions"), on which Penalosa serves. It may be possible to work with them, as they may need more of a sense of purpose. We decided to develop the project more before contacting potential judges. One precedent for the point system is the Green Building Council's "lead" scale.
6. Point system: The purpose is to quantify the effects of a proposed initiative. The winning project will not be best in every category, but be best overall. One criteria mention was the modal shift impact of the project. Another was the scale of the initiative. A third idea was to give points for changes in legal codes (for example, minimum parking requirements), which would facilitate future projects in the same city.
6. We discussed the incentives for cities making applications. Types of assistance may include both technical and financial. In addition, the city would gain the recognition and prestige that comes with the award. However, Walter said US cities aren't so interested in international recognition, although they are interested in attracting corporations and tourism. They want to be seen as a "world-class city" (a buzzword that could be used in relation to this project).
7. We discussed whether the winning initiative should receive funds outright, or just technical assistance. (No conclusion yet.) And how do we know that the awarded city will follow through with the project? David has a lot of experience in urban renewal projects, and in particular how to manage funds. For example, 30% of the funds could be given to the winning initiative up front, and 70% after the results are proven. (Gradual feeding of carrots.) It was suggested that support for the community consensus process could be the focus for the funds. Another suggestion was that the funds should be used to provide an incentive to the developers to offset the risk of doing something new (and carfree). Developers may also be interested in the prestige of the award.
8. Who can apply? We thought that the winning initiative would need to show a level of partnership between the municipality, a developer, and one or more NGOs. The project would have to happen within a certain time period to qualify. Credible applications need to demonstrate previous commitment.
9. Who should receive the funds (if there are to be funds given out)? It may depend on the particular application. Some people thought the city should manage the funds. Markus thought that an NGO should be the recipient, because NGOs need money most.
10. Other ideas raised:
a. A physical site must be available for an applicant's project.
b. Should residents be carfree, or just the area must be carfree?
c. Rather than having a minimum area size for the project, we should describe the qualities that the project is seeking.
d. The money saved by not building parking could be channeled into more socially compelling purposes.

Who will do what?:
Gus will draft meeting summary and criteria.
Markus has some criteria and will participate in discussion list.
Randy will make sure the project stays "hot" and will also set up a web page with Wiki interactive software for project development.
David will participate in Wiki page and will help to assure the quality of the project (especially re: environmental quality).
Beat will provide information on a large carfree project that the City of Basel is developing.
Franz will provide a list of objectives for ecocity/carfree areas (needs further development).
Janneke will help discuss and develop ideas.

 
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 This page was last updated 25 August 2005