Paul Tranter is Senior Lecturer in Geography at University College, Australian Defence Force Academy, University of New South Wales, Canberra. Though this may seem at first to be an institution dominated by military training, it is committed to providing students with a balanced and liberal education. Academic staff can engage in whatever research interests are important to their discipline, rather than those which may be specifically of relevance to the military.

Paul’s research interests include the study of sustainable cities and transport systems, and child-friendly cities. He has conducted hands-on research on children’s independent mobility and access to their local environments. He has examined urban transport practices in a number of European countries, with attention to the use of streets as places for people rather than simply as movement corridors for cars.

Though his household has one car, his main modes of transport are cycling, public transport (buses in Canberra) and walking. Consequently, he can appreciate from personal experience some of the benefits of these modes of transport (including regular exercise and an opportunity for spontaneous exchanges). He is opposed to the glorification of the motor car, and believes that streets should be designed primarily with the needs of non-motorists in mind.

Paul has kindly volunteered to lead the Play Streets kit-making exercise for Earth Car Free Day 2001. For further background on him, please click here.

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