This summer, I backpacked for a month through Europe. Though the food was incredible and the sights were astonishing, one of the best parts about the trip was the fact that my partner Ben and I didn’t need a car. We traversed across the continent solely through the use of our own two feet and various modes of public transportation. And let me tell you, it was liberating.
The concept of the “walkable city” is not foreign to the United States, but you pretty much have to be located in one of the nation’s largest cities like New York, San Francisco, Chicago, etc. in order to fully experience it. These cities stand out from the majority of places in the United States because they 1.) have elaborate systems of public transportation available, and 2.) they have essential businesses concentrated in the same spaces that people reside in.
For smaller cities and towns in the United States, it is not uncommon for people to have to drive at least three miles to get from residential areas to the nearest grocer, restaurant, or shopping center. Many of these areas lack public transportation systems to help them get around, so for many, a car is a necessity.
How did Europe get so many walkable cities?
Where the US seems to be in a constant state of development and expansion, most European cities were designed well before the invention of the automobile and, for the most part, their infrastructure today remains the same. European towns needed to be compact to supply the necessities that were easily reachable by horse or foot. When businesses, housing, and nearby towns are close together, it incentivizes eco-friendly modes of transportation. Why get a car if the farthest you ever need to drive regularly is a mere five minutes?
The walkable streets of Naples, IT (left) Sorrento, IT (middle), and Alsace, FR (right).
So why are walkable cities a good thing?
1.Walkable cities reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Walkable cities promote the use of alternative transportation like walking, biking, buses, and trains. Fewer cars on the road also decreases greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
2. Walkable cities support local businesses
When all of the places you need to run errands are close to each other, it promotes shopping at small and local businesses. Shopping locally keeps money in the local economy, and it usually is better for the environment because the goods are from the region (unlike those needing to be shipped by boat or plane). Local businesses are typically also free from the exploitative practices of big business like low wages and fast fashion.
3. Walkable cities promote greenery and minimize land use
Think about the last time you went to the grocery store – how big was the parking lot? In walkable cities, cars will either park along the road, or there won’t be a need for a parked car at all! Therefore, walkable cities limit the destruction of natural ecosystems for parking lots and they keep our cities beautifully green.
4. Walkable cities connect us to our environment
When you drive in a car on a route you take every day, it’s really easy to go on auto-pilot, but when you walk around a city, you’re more bound to notice things in your surroundings that you never would have otherwise. Maybe along your route, you smell the perfume of yellow roses in the neighborhood park, or you hear the distinct crashing of waves on the nearby shore, or you pause for a moment to absorb the warmth and colors of the morning sun. Nature offers peace to all five of our senses, but we must be in nature’s presence to fully experience these gifts.
5. Walkable cities promote good mental and physical health
Not only do walkable cities promote good physical health by increasing exercise, but they can have a huge impact on mental health. Walking opens up space to engage with people in the community and strike up spontaneous conversations. Walking also increases our levels of endorphins, which are the brain’s “feel good” chemicals, to put us in a positive state of mind. Decreased traffic also eliminates a common stressor from everyday life. It’s a win-win-win!
What can we do to increase city walkability in the US?
On an individual level:
If you’re thinking about moving to a new area, scope out if public transportation is available and try to find a place where your most-frequented destinations would be close by (think work, the grocery store, a pharmacy, maybe a clothing store, the gym, etc.)
If you’re already settled, identify which businesses are closest to you and go support them. Though the taqueria 20 minutes away may be forever calling your name, why not try walking down to the new pizzeria that popped up two blocks away? Who knows, it might just become a new favorite!
Thinking about starting a new local business? Instead of buying an empty plot of land on the far side of town, check to see if there are any current building vacancies available or spots that are more towards the central hub so your customers don’t need to travel very far to get to your business.
Vote – as always, research current policies on public transportation and seek out candidates who value sustainability and a greener city.
On a infrastructural level:
Create a reliable public transit system – whether this is a frequent schedule of buses with stops all around, an inner city metro system, or trains that hit major cities across the country, providing these options for people will decrease the demand for individuals to own cars.
Make cities more beautiful – to make walking throughout the city more enjoyable, consider sprinkling parks and artwork throughout the city. For instance, Denver’s “RiNo Art District” is an industrial section of the city that is now known for its grand murals and spray-painted masterpieces sprinkled all throughout.
Support pedestrian safety – make sure your city has well-lit and well-paved sidewalks and bike paths for people to commute on.
Do you have a favorite walkable city? Comment below what made your experience there great for you. How did you feel? What did you notice? I can’t wait to hear from you!
I spent a summer in Aachen Germany. Even though I was only there for three months, by the end of it I felt more connected to that city than I did to the suburban city I grew up in. Would love to see American cities become more walkable!