The primary goal of this project is to collect and analyze data about urban mobility and access in the city of St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador in order to produce a documentary film about the sidewalk snow clearing issue. The scope of this research will consider the implications of street and sidewalk clearing for public safety, health, the environment, and social equality.
Secondary goals include the preparation of an archive of primary data about experiences of snow clearing and the preparation of scholarly publications about the use of participatory research methods based on collaborative video and photography as well as Internet groups such as Facebook. Following a participatory action research framework, this project will begin with a fairly narrow focus (sidewalk snow clearing) and work towards more general reforms (other issues of mobility and access) following cycles of action and reflection with various stakeholders.
