Close your eyes for a moment and see if you can envision this: a city literally alive. A group of children is playing tag in the sunlight of a park, while the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafts from a nearby café. Friends are strolling down a tree-lined street, letting out laughter and stories, all while a street performer strums a guitar. The typical sounds of automobiles are now footsteps, bicycles pedaling, and the cadence of talk. Cars are not the main character; people are.
As someone who was raised in a suburban region, where automobiles ruled the road, contemplating a city designed for walking feels like a breath of fresh air. For as long as I can recall, I have envisioned what it would be like to live in an area where, when I step outside my door, I can go where I want, on foot, with no need for an automobile. I desire to live in a city that is not simply about going from point A to point B, but about the trip, and small discoveries along the way, and the pleasure of casually walking through engaging spaces where everything feels animated and welcoming.
So, why do walkable cities matter and who benefits? Let us explore closer how walkable cities are more than a trend, they are a necessary solution for the health of all communities, our economies, and the planet.
1. Walking Toward a Healthier Life
If you have ever walked to school or to a nearby park, you may know how it can feel so much better than being in the car, not just the fresh air or time to clear your mind, but also the fact that you are physically moving your body. While walking is good for you, it is also easier than we think.
Also, I’ve always walked, whether to get somewhere from point ‘A’ to ‘B’, or just walking to relax. Research indicates that people who live in communities that are walkable are more likely to meet CDC-recommended activity levels, and this is something I have observed personally when doing the same or similar routes instead of driving to a friend’s house or running an errand.
Not only is the walk good for my physical body, it is also good for my mental body. Walking decreases stress, increases creativity, and clears the mental fog I might have at the end of a long school day.
Plus, the experience of walking through a city built for people rather than cars is almost meditative. The sights, sounds, and vibe of the place make every step seem different than the last. I have to think I am present to what’s around me in a way that you cannot experience in a car.
2. Revitalizing Local Economies
It’s not just about exercise – it’s about supporting local businesses. As I walk around town, I see little things that I might not notice if I were driving – a little art gallery opening, a small bookstore in a tiny corner of a street. Those businesses are what make a community, and they thrive in a walkable space.
When cities focus on walking, they create walkable space for businesses to thrive. Studies show that businesses in walkable neighborhoods see more customers and more sales than businesses in car-based neighborhoods. I know this because I’ve been to cities like downtown Princeton, where the streets are filled with people shopping, eating, and experiencing all that those communities have to offer.
The more I walk around areas like that, the more I realize that they are truly alive. It’s not about retail sales, but rather experiences, and the same small businesses that add life to the street are the same businesses that complete the community feel. You know, the barista in the café, the florist who gets your favorite flowers, and the bookstore owner who recommends just the right novel. Walkable cities make it possible.
3. Building Stronger Communities
What I love most about walkable cities is the sense of community. In a space where things are designed for people to walk, you will always encounter neighbors, find new places, and get to know your context more personally. It is about the relationships we make between us that take place in a non-isolated environment, we tend to experience behind the glass of a car.
I get a kick out of running into someone I know in my journeys to school or when I am out in my neighborhood – be it a neighbor, a friend, or something I recognize. It serves as a friendly reminder that we are all a part of a space bigger than ourselves.
One of my most memorable pedestrian experiences happened when I was walking the streets of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. That particular area was designed for pedestrians – cobblestone streets, wide sidewalks, and many outdoor patios. I remember feeling like I belonged to that community and was not just passing through. It was a space where people were connecting – connecting to each other, but also to the city. I want more cities to feel like that, spaces where you do not just walk through, but instead, run through, and experience everything around you.
4. A Greener Future, One Step at a Time
I have always been concerned about environmental issues. That’s why I love walkable cities, they are more sustainable than car dependency–every car on the road contributes to pollution, and the more cars, the more we contribute to the climate crisis. Therefore, if cities can plan for walking, they are reducing emissions, and who wouldn’t want the world to be cleaner and greener?
I have been to Copenhagen, which is known for its cycling infrastructure and walkability. More than 40% of people in Copenhagen walk or ride a bike to work every day. The city has committed to being carbon neutral by 2025. I love seeing how a city can pivot toward people instead of cars, and it gives me hope for a more sustainable future.
Can’t you just imagine if people had more pedestrian zones, bike lanes, parks, and green spaces? While it would be better for the environment, I also believe it would be better for the people who live in the cities. More trees, cleaner air and and less traffic noise would be an overall more pleasant surrounding.
5. Designing Cities for People, Not Cars
What makes a city walkable? It’s all in the details – in how the city is engineered. Walkability requires more than sidewalks, and it requires a deliberate effort to have places that are planned to be pedestrian-friendly.
In my ideal city, sidewalks would be wide enough for groups to walk side by side comfortably. Benches to sit, cafes for outside seating, and well-defined crosswalks that are safe. There would also be forms of public transport for when people want to go further than walking distance. The ideal city would mix living, working, and play – all in walking distance from one another.
I have been fortunate to experience walkability – Amsterdam, New York City – and even smaller population centers like Asheville, North Carolina – to show that walkability isn’t auto-centric. Any city can be designed to work for the people who are in it and not just for their cars.
Dreaming of a Walkable World
WhWhen I envision the future, I imagine a world in which walking is not just a pastime, but a way of life. A world in which when we open our doorsteps to the world, we can walk to the places we value most: a friend’s house, a park, or a local shop.
To me, a walkable city is a city in which I have a greater connection to my neighbors, to the local environment, and to my community. Each step that I take in a walkable city brings me closer to a world that feels more human, more sustainable, and more alive.
What Is Your Favorite Walkable Place?
Do you have a favorite walkable place? Maybe YOU have fond memories of walking down a quiet street in your neighborhood, or perhaps you love the fun energy of a busy city square. I would love to hear about them! Tell me in the comments below, and let’s keep talking about walkable cities—as we talk, we get closer to making that world a reality!
