What is the ROW-Right-of-Way?
Rethinking the Right-of-Way (ReROW) is a trans-disciplinary research group at UBC, partnered with Mobility Foresight, motivated by transformation of public streets around three themes:
- Mobility & Place
- Energy & Environment
- Health & Well-being
ReROW recognizes that a transformation is needed to address the conflicting priorities in the right-of-way (ROW) and to realign it with community aspirations and sustainability needs. We are focused on innovation in the design and management of streets, sidewalks, alleys, and other public spaces that lead to better social, health, and sustainable outcomes.
We aim to be a research leader in complex systems converging in the right-of-way (ROW), the public space extending from one property line to another. The ROW encompasses mobility for people and goods, spaces for utilities, and ecosystem services, as well as social, economic, and civic uses.
Through ReROW, we advance this work as a model for university partnerships and innovation in graduate education. ReROW is funded by the UBC Research Excellence Clusters Initiative 2023/2024.
“I am thinking about how we make decisions about the use of our street space and balance the competing interests in sustainable and equitable ways.” — Dr. Kelly Clifton, ReROW Lead
News and Events
January 16, 2025
The ReROW cluster has been renewed!February 6, 2025
The executive summary for ReROW Mobility +1: Rethinking the Right-of-Way Regional Leadership Workshop has been released!December 4, 2024
We’re proud to announce that four ReROW members have all been honoured with the Peter Wall Legacy AwardsView all
ReROW on LinkedIn
Follow Rethinking the Right-of-Way (ReROW) for updates on research, workshops, and people-first street design.
Why the ROW?
There is a critical need to reconsider the design, use, and management of the public rights-of-way (ROW) (e.g., streets, laneways, sidewalks) toward more sustainable, equitable, and healthy forms.
Streets provide the connective tissue for cities – mobility and access; distributing goods and utilities; and supporting ecosystem services. Streets are also social places – a locus of human interaction and activity that reflect culture and values. As the confluence of these various interacting urban systems, they are a vital element to consider in our efforts to combat climate change, create a more just and inclusive society, and foster thriving urban life. But despite consuming as much as 30% of urban land, the ROW is experiencing increasing competition for space, conflicts among uses and users, and discord in the various goals for the space.
Apply for Student Conference Funding
ReROW student members can now apply for travel and presentation support.
Interested in learning more about ReROW?
Kelly Clifton, Professor & J. Armand Bombardier Chair in Regional Transportation Planning and ReROW Lead kelly.clifton@ubc.ca
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