By: Laura Redford
Walkability is more than being able to take a nice stroll. It is the ability to walk to things that you need in everyday life. Can you easily and comfortably run a quick errand (including getting to schools) without having to get into your car?
Walking infrastructure is an important part of transportation choices. It does not replace cars, but it does allow people to have to use them less in certain parts of a city. Walking more and driving fewer miles has many personal and community benefits.
- Individuals are healthier when they walk regularly
- Walking can allow for more interactions among people in the community, which improves our social health
- Families who walk more save money on gas
- Air quality improves with less car milage
- Frequent foot traffic can benefit local stores
- Car traffic (and parking issues) decline
According to walkability expert Jeff Speck, a walking infrastructure must have four things to be successful. It must be:
- Useful (Will it allow me to walk places I need or want to go?)
- Safe (Will I be protected from fast moving vehicles? Will it be well lit?)
- Comfortable (Is it mostly flat? Is there shade? Can I take stroller?)
- Interesting (Are there things to look at that catch my eye, either natural or man-made?)
(This new mural at the 820 North tunnel in Provo is an example of public art that makes a walk more interesting)
If any one of these four principles is missing, fewer people will walk. If the infrastructure doesn’t get me where I want to go, doesn’t feel safe, isn’t a comfortable option, or doesn’t have things that are interesting to see then I’m not going to regularly use it.
To explore the walkability of different places play around on walkscore.com. Try out several neighborhoods in the same city because scores change by neighborhood. Some parts of cities can be quite walkable, while other parts are not.
For more to watch or read on Walkability, Jeff Speck has a TED Talk and a book. The Walkable City: How downtown can save America One step at a time, North Point Press, 2012 is available at the Orem Public Library. To check out his work in person, investigate Utah City near the Vineyard Frontrunner Station. His company planned that development.