Eric Britton


Francis Eric Knight Britton is an American political scientist and sustainability activist who has lived and worked in Paris, France since 1969. As the main convenor of and its various networks, he is well known for promoting integrated public transport, carsharing and bike sharing.

Activities

Background

Britton was born in Boston, Massachusetts on 27 June 1938, and trained in the Physical Sciences and Economics at Amherst College, Columbia University, the International Fellows Program, the University of Rome, and École pratique des hautes études, Paris.
A former member of the Faculty of Economics at New York University and Mills College, and occasional lecturer at universities in many parts of the world; his work received early support from the Ford Foundation and a Fulbright Fellowship for his work on “Development Theories and Myths in the Italian South ”.
For many years, Britton has been active in the creation and management of independent, interdisciplinary, cross-cultural peer networks and open partnerships for problem solving and providing counsel and policy direction for Governments, the private sector and volunteer and community groups in a broad range of problem areas involving technological change, sustainable development and social justice.

Current work

Through his own consultancy, EcoPlan International, Britton undertakes projects which mainly relate to improving urban transport sustainability.
is an umbrella for related discussion groups and online resources relating to sustainable urban transport, The Commons and its related online journal World Streets aim to promote and disseminate best practice.
Much of his work involves co-ordinating the collaborative New Mobility Agenda, which encompasses a number of possible transport solutions, including car free days, carsharing, bikesharing and shared space projects.

Previous projects

Britton has authored, co-authored or contributed to more than two hundred reports, books and articles, co-founded and acted as editorial adviser to the "Journal of World Transport Policy and Practice", and served on editorial/advisory boards of “Traffic Engineering & Control”, and Mass Transit journals.