Sandy Molnar
The introduction of self-driving and electric cars onto the market has inspired many Americans to foresee a more sustainable future of transportation. However, there may be a simpler and more efficient way to revolutionize the way we travel, one that is already a reality in many European and Asian countries. The walkable city is moving increasingly into the public eye as a sustainable alternative to our car-centric world. Cities like Florence, Hamburg, and Puducherry, India have been used to illustrate the vision of a walkable city in a sustainable world.
The movement away from automobile-reliant cities and towards more pedestrian-friendly metropolises hinges on a few factors. Ensuring that all necessary facilities are within a 15-minute walkable radius is often the cornerstone of walkable urban design. This requires mixed-use land development, which allows for residential, commercial, and recreational infrastructure to be close to one another. Other considerations include pedestrian-friendly infrastructure with an emphasis on safety, coherent and unified street design, green spaces, landmark preservation, public transit, and alternative transportation options like bicycles.
There is no shortage of benefits provided by walkable cities. Allowing citizens to commute to work, shop for groceries, and visit recreational areas without the use of a personal vehicle can reduce emissions from transportation, currently the largest sector of greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing the amount Americans drive can decrease emissions by 4 tons per year compared to automobile-dependent areas, accounting for more change than just switching vehicles from gas to batteries. Walkable cities can also reduce the urban heat island effect, cooling down cities, minimizing land use, and decreasing air and noise pollution, creating a more pleasant living experience for citizens.
The benefits don’t stop there, however. Local economies are supported by the increased foot traffic near businesses. Accessible recreational and commercial districts can also increase the amount of tourism in some areas. In addition, Americans can also save on expenditures involved in car ownership. Walkable cities may also positively impact citizens’ health. The increased daily physical activity that is promoted by these neighborhoods has been shown to lower rates of obesity and diabetes. Cities with easy access to cultural and leisure activities have also been shown to improve mental health, especially as these activities can connect communities and decrease loneliness.
Evolving our current car-favoring cities into walkable areas will be a challenge. Suburban sprawl and the construction of automobile-sized neighborhoods became the norm in the 1980s, and it has been a hard habit to quit. Many of our cities now feature large blank storefronts, wide streets, extensive parking lots, single-use zoning, and plenty of asphalt, making the transition to walkability an intimidating proposal. However, Copenhagen can serve as one success story that proves pedestrianization of major cities is possible. Despite criticism, in 1962 urban planners began to remove all traffic from the streets, turning curbs and sidewalks into full-sized walkable pavements. The change was incremental, allowing people to adjust their driving and parking habits in line with the changing streets. The result was increased connectivity, public life in public spaces, and increased revenue for local retailers, demonstrating the vast positive developments a walkable city generated for Danes.
As the need for sustainable solutions grows, we may find valuable insights by revisiting traditional practices. With thoughtful planning and investment, we can transform our cities to be more environmentally friendly and accessible to all Americans.
Citations
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The JAMA Network Journals. (2016, May 24). Rates of obesity, diabetes lower in neighborhoods that are more walkable. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 1, 2025 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160524124052.htm
Kobos, S. (2017, December 6). Stop Shoehorning Suburbia into Walkable Places. Strong Towns. https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2017/12/6/stop-shoehorning-suburbia-into-walkable-places
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Pedestrian Only Streets: Case study: Stroget, Copenhagen. Global Designing Cities Initiative. (n.d.). https://globaldesigningcities.org/publication/global-street-design-guide/streets/pedestrian-priority-spaces/pedestrian-only-streets/pedestrian-streets-case-study-stroget-copenhagen/
Steuteville, R. (2021, August 31). Ten environmental benefits of walkable places. CNU. https://www.cnu.org/publicsquare/2021/08/31/ten-environmental-benefits-walkable-places
United States Government. (2024, June 18). Fast Facts on Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions. United States Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/fast-facts-transportation-greenhouse-gas-emissions
Walkable cities can benefit the environment, the economy, and your health. The Climate Reality Project. (2021, July 8). https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog/walkable-cities-can-benefit-environment-economy-and-your-health