The Impact of Neglected Walking in City Planning: Exploring the Uphill Battle Walking Activists Face
Examining the Lack of Discussion Regarding Pedestrian-Friendly Urban Design: The Push Towards Accessible and Walkable Cities
If you picture urban mobility within city limits, what usually pops into your mind? Cars, buses, scooters, bicycles, trams and metros, yes? But what about walking? In most cases, this natural means of transportation seems to escape the collective consciousness.
You might wonder, why is walking so overlooked in urban mobility discussions, given that each and every one of us walks on a daily basis?
The Hurdles to Overcome: A Deep Dive into the Issues
Downplaying the Importance of Walking
We barely even feel the steps we take every day, but have you considered that walking is actually the oldest form of human transportation? Despite this historical significance, people tend to take it for granted, dismissing it as an axiomatic act that doesn't merit much attention.
However, when something becomes so commonplace, it gradually gets swept under the proverbial urban carpet. Political issues call for political solutions, and when the majority of the population doesn't view walking as a political issue, driving support for walkable cities becomes a significant challenge.
In the words of Mário Alves, Secretary-General of the International Federation of Pedestrians: "Pedestrians don't have a political identity. Cyclists, on the other hand, consciously embrace their status, so it's much easier for them to rally behind a movement." Without a political identity, walking activism struggles to garner much-needed attention and support.
Share of the Spotlight with Cyclists
Cyclists have carved themselves a niche in the realm of sustainable mobility. Pedestrians, although the majority, lack the same defined political identity. Cyclists, on the other hand, are vocal about their concerns and advocates are quick to jump on board.
In many cities, there are fewer cyclists than pedestrians, but their voices are heard louder. City councils tend to prioritize the needs of cyclists over pedestrians, as cycling has more political traction and broader voter approval. Often, walking and cycling are lumped together in transport strategies, but their unique requirements demand individual focus and solutions.
"Form alliances with cyclists," advises Alves, "but keep a safe distance from them because their enthusiasm can steer discussions away from pedestrian issues."
Road Safety Matters
For years, road safety has been a key component of city planning conversations, yet the alarming increase in pedestrian accidents and fatalities continues to grow in many regions. Evidently, creating a safer infrastructure for pedestrians should be a priority, right?
Unfortunately, given the powerful auto lobby, numerous streets remain wide and straight, inherently dangerous for pedestrians. Broken pavement, limited lighting, and a paucity of space make many feel unsafe while walking. Urgent measures, such as widening existing footpaths, constructing pedestrian-friendly extensions, and implementing traffic calming solutions, may help overcome this issue.
Walking Isn't Often a Viable Car Alternative
Cities are becoming increasingly sprawled, rendering walking an impractical alternative to car travel for many people. Cycling, on the other hand, can be a viable option for replacing short car trips in urban areas. Walking activists must contend with the "impossibility" of walking for long distances—something cycling advocates can exploit. To counter this narrative, walking activists must demonstrate the importance of pedestrian safety and connectivity to public transit in the city's strategic vision.
Everyone Walks, but Not Everyone Walks Equally
Although we all traverse the streets as pedestrians, the experience is far from uniform. Mike McGinn, Executive Director of America Walks, astutely notes, "White and wealthy individuals can move freely, while black or brown individuals, even those of means, experience their mobility subject to interruptions." Racial and socioeconomic equity must be a crucial component of discussions about making cities pedestrian friendly.
The Path to Progress...
In an ideal world, we could revert to compact cities exclusively catering to pedestrians, yet reality calls for a more nuanced approach. It's time to tackle these challenges head-on and fight tirelessly for pedestrian-oriented cities. Read more in the articles Getting Started and Useful Guides and Tools.
Key Insights from Enrichment Data:
- Invest in real-time pedestrian data collection and advocacy efforts to highlight the importance and the extent of walking in urban mobility
- Balance infrastructure investment between pedestrians and cyclists
- Focus on improving road safety and pedestrian-centric design
- Reallocate space from cars to pedestrians in urban areas
- Implement integrated mobility solutions, prioritizing compact urban planning to reduce car reliance
- Engage local residents in decision-making processes to facilitate pedestrian-centric urban planning
- As we work towards creating pedestrian-friendly cities, it may be beneficial to consider the integration of outdoor-living spaces and home-and-garden areas, promoting sustainable-living and creating a more enjoyable lifestyle for urban dwellers.
- To ensure a balanced approach in urban mobility, it's crucial to invest in the industry and finance sectors to fund real-time pedestrian data collection and advocacy initiatives, highlighting the significance of walking in our everyday lives.
- With a greater focus on improving road safety, it's essential to consider the implications of the transportation sector on the environment, adopting strategies that prioritize sustainable solutions, such as reducing car reliance through compact urban planning and promoting alternative modes of transportation like walking and cycling.
