Walking, the most widely utilized from of transportation in the world, has become increasingly difficult in large and small cities. The benefits of a pedestrian-friendly city are abundant. By reducing the necessity of the car for all trips, goals related to sustainability and environmental quality are enhanced. The more people are on foot, the greater the opportunities for social contact and interaction, thus promoting a greater sense of community. A pedestrian-friendly environment helps maintain the vitality of the downtown area, a major objective of many cities. In addition, fewer traffic accidents involving pedestrians occur. Finally, a city that is oriented more towards pedestrians can reduce municipal expenditures in the areas of road construction and maintenance, police and ambulance service, uninsured medical costs, and infrastructure.

A fundamental principle underscores a pedestrian-friendly city: People will choose to walk if the pathways are safe, comfortable and enjoyable; if distances between destinations are deemed walkable; and, if destinations are clearly linked by a network of sidewalks and pathways. With this in mind, here are seven recommendations to assist cities in becoming more friendly to pedestrians.

Reduce traffic speeds. Nothing discourages walking more than fast moving traffic. Faster traffic results in a more dangerous and less enjoyable walk.

To slow down vehicles, cities can implement a number of tactics. a) converting driving lanes to parallel parking, b) planting trees and other landscaping along the roadside, c) encouraging buildings to be constructed closer to the street rather than behind a parking lot; d) altering the road surface approaching pedestrian crossings and e) including more speedbumps and speedtables in the roadways.

Make intersections easier to cross. Whether or not streets are easy to cross is a key factor in deciding to walk or to drive. Stop signs and traffic signals are certainly helpful, although the latter are usually aimed at moving automobiles, not pedestrians, efficiently. More effective are curb extensions, center medians, and mid-block crosswalks.

Add new or widen existing sidewalks. People will seldom walk without sidewalks, even in low-traffic residential areas. Yet sidewalks are few and far between in most housing subdivisions and commercial areas built during the past few decades. Cities should require that sidewalks be included in all new development proposals.

Furnish a clear pedestrian network. If people have a clear network of sidewalks and pathways between their homes and other destinations such as downtown, schools, parks, shopping, recreation government offices and services, they will choose to walk more often. Sidewalks cannot exist in isolation or go nowhere, but rather must be connected well. This is especially true for the downtown area that can benefit by good pedestrian linkages to nearby neighborhoods.

Provide pedestrian amenities. A number of amenities can make the experience of walking more interesting and enjoyable. Benches or ledges give people a place to rest, talk and people-watch, and should be distributed widely. Attractive, human-scale lighting helps provide a pleasant aesthetic and a sense of security. Trees, planters, hanging flower baskets, city banners, and brick pavement all make a pedestrian environment more attractive.

Amend city ordinances. Single use zoning and lower densities often result in an unfriendly pedestrian environment. Amending the city ordinance to permit cluster developments and the close proximity of housing to other activities will encourage walking. Parking ratios should be reduced to prevent the predominance of large surface parking lots. Surface parking lots also inhibit walking by spreading buildings farther apart. Where possible, parking should be encouraged behind or to the side of structures to bring the buildings closer to the street.

Pay special attention to downtown. Cities with downtowns are fortunate to possess a ready-made pedestrian destination. To make the most of this asset, cities should pay special attention to the quality of the pedestrian environment on main street. A city that is serious about implementing the above recommendations should start downtown.

Moreover, several other downtown-specific guidelines need to be heeded. Parking lots and ramps should be located on the edges of downtown to not impede pedestrian movement. Pedestrian-only linkages should be provided between parking lots and the main streets. Large setbacks and blank walled buildings should be avoided. Attractive building facades - ideally with eye-catching window displays - should be encouraged through design guidelines and/or low-interest revolving loan funds.

Both rural and metropolitan municipalities can enhance the quality of life for their residents by applying some of these recommendations. One overarching recommendation is to incorporate a strong pedestrian-oriented component into the city's next comprehensive plan update. This emphasis will help ensure that future generations will enjoy the benefits of living in a more sustainable and pedestrian-friendly city.

Kent Robertson, Ph.D., is Professor and Director of Community Development at St. Cloud State University (Minnesota). He has published more than 20 professional articles on downtown development, been a keynote speaker at several state and national conferences, and assisted communities with their downtown development efforts through facilitating visioning sessions (Marinette, Wisconsin; St. Cloud, Minnesota), conducting workshops (Yonkers, New York; Wausau, Wisconsin; Hartford, Wisconsin), and leading community forums (Jonesboro, Arkansas; Anoka, Minnesota).

For the entire reprint of this article (including bibliography), please go to:

Center for Community Economic Development
University of Wisconsin - Extension

For more information:

Kent Robertson, Professor & Director
Community Development Program
Department of Community Studies
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud MN 56301-4498
phone: 320-255-3184
fax: 320-654-5413
e-mail: kent@stcloudstate.edu

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