Walking and Walkability 

The Decline of Walking

Walking is part of every trip we make; and many trips require nothing else. Each trip is made to accomplish something: to obtain basic needs or other desired things, to visit friends, to learn, to come together to direct government. 

In modern times in "developed" countries, travel has grown faster than any indicator of "development," other than advertising and the squandering of energy and other natural resources. In our interconnected society, we have become more and more dependent on goods and services provided by other people; who are now located further and further away. At the same time, trips made to carry those goods and services to stores and offices within walking distance have decreased, forcing us to travel further to a smaller number of outlets. Schools, government services, professional services, and cultural events are also centralized into more distant facilities. 

The result is that, although the number of trips made by each person to and from their residence may have reduced in number, the length of the remaining trips have increased from hundreds of meters, to miles. The longer trip is one that requires more public space, surface improvements, regulations and enforcement, vehicles of greater and greater sophistication (and cost), and increased the consequences if two travellers "meet". When walking is dominant, "meeting" is a social event; when most travellers are inside vehicles, "meetings" are collisions with grave consequences. Further, a predominance of vehicular trips results in a decline in the environment for walking, as vehicles intimidate walkers, further reducing the attractiveness of small-scale, close-to-home services. Even the location of parking for vehicles at stores and schools make them less desirable as walking destinations.
 
 

The Importance of Walking 

Walking is important not only because it is part of every trip, but it still represents the main form of travel for the young, old, the disabled, the poor, the tourist, the ill, the environmentalist and the romantic - in other words, the majority. The reliance on driving disenfranchises this majority, raising the "water line" for mobility. One's feet (or wheelchair) isn't enough; one needs a car, insurance, and a knowledge of the streets and the rules of the road.
 
 

Walking is also absolutely essential to the creation of a sense of community along our streets and in our neighbourhoods. It's at the basis of maintaining friendships, of being exposed to the full range of life experiences and situations. It provides the main way for people to watch out for each other, experience nature, delight in coincidence, hear stories, and be connected.
 
 

"Walkability": 

Despite the presence of vehicles driven by drivers who are, well... driven, the existence of massive advertising favouring driving (while few ads favour walking), and the vast government sanctions and resources that ensure that the present situation continues to get worse, we can individually still do a great deal to return walking to our communities and lives.

1. Tell merchants and government officials that we want priority given to the improvement of walking over driving.

2. Arrange working and living locations to be close enough to each other to be walked (at least for one wage earner, with the other workplace able to be reached by transit or bicycle). 

3. Be a "PESt" (public environment steward) who reports broken sidewalks, helps others cross the street, picks up trash, and tends to public flower boxes.

4. Incorporate the "green transportation hierarchy" in your travel decisions to favour the use of walking first, cycling second, transit or ride-sharing third, and the use of the car last.

5. To make it easier to reduce car use (for yourself and your neighbours), sell your car and set up a car-sharing club; share transit information; build a bike trailer and share it.

6. Organize your neighbours to redesign your street to make more use of the street for social purposes by adding porches, doing more front yard visiting (including putting out a bench and table), encouraging the kids play on the street, holding block parties, and simply walking and talking a lot.

7. Buy goods and services from nearby stores and from neighbours; rely on their advice and be patient enough to let them order what you need. Expect merchants and staff to know and participate in the affairs of the community. 

8. Resist being involved in overly organized sports and cultural activities for children, favouring less formal activities with local children they already know.

9. Get to know neighbours and reach out with offers of help and requests for assistance.

10. After the above changes, notice how much better life has gotten and mention it to others. Walking is contagious!

by Chris Bradshaw (co-founder of Ottawalk and owner of a private consulting company, Bradshaw CommuniTies)