Walkable cities

One of the ways to make people use less transport is to encourage them to walk. A simple task, but a challenge in urban centres. The attempt to achieve that by implementing exclusive pedestrian streets and improve the quality of public spaces through better design is now common in many central areas in cities all over the world. The trend of mixed-uses in urban areas is fundamental as facilities need to be in proximity with the user - what goes directly against the urban sprawl.

In Mumbai, 6 of 10 people walk to their destinations in the morning. The demand for space is huge, and despite that, private vehicles occupies most part of the public spaces. The conflict between pedestrians , cyclists and vehicles was so intense that the government decides to create lanes exclusive for pedestrians and series of footbridges. Transport improvements are still being discussed but a lot of pedestrian friendly public spaces are now seen along the city.

In Nairobi, sixty per cent of the population lives in slums and only a small part of the population can buy cars. Despite the urban planning of the city being based on vehicles, only a few have access to it, and consequently informal commerce have appeared in outer areas. The demand for walking spaces in the city moved the city council to implement safer urban environments with walkways along the main avenues. Although much still have to be done, a signal of change is now seen.

In many small size cities in developed countries it is easy to see improvements in the public areas and many pedestrian and cyclists-friendly streets. However, the effort and the pursue to provide a walkable and connected city is seem in many cities of the developing countries as well, where the challenge is unquestionably higher although the needs are the same.

Source: Phatak, V, Muchire, P 2011, 'On foot nm Mumbai, Nairobi and Mexico City', Urban World: Urban Sustainable Mobility, Vol. 2 ,Issue 5, pp. 5-6.