In a recent virtual event hosted by the Norwegian Centre for Transport Research, Jim Walker, co-founder of Walk21, shared his expertise on the creation of walkable cities. The event, titled "The Active Cities Initiative: A Pathway to Walkable Cities," forms part of a series promoting sustainable and active forms of transport.
The complete video can be viewed on the Norwegian Centre for Transport Research's YouTube channel.
The Eight-Step Blueprint
Walker presented an eight-step blueprint for crafting walkable cities. These steps encompass:
- Engage: Liaise with the community and stakeholders to comprehend their needs and aspirations.
- Assess: Undertake an evaluation of the current walking conditions in the city.
- Review: Examine existing policies and identify any that may be obstructing the promotion of walking.
- Plan: Formulate a comprehensive plan that includes strategies for enhancing walkability.
- Prove: Implement flagship projects that demonstrate the effectiveness of the strategies.
- Invest: Allocate resources for the execution of the plan.
- Maintain: Regularly monitor and maintain the implemented strategies.
- Celebrate: Applaud the successes and use them to inspire further improvements.
Walk21: A Global Pioneer in Walking Advocacy
Walk21, co-founded by Walker, plays a pivotal role in advocating walking as a viable mode of transport. It offers support and expertise to cities and countries globally, assisting them in developing and implementing walking policies. Walker highlighted several successful projects that Walk21 has been involved in, including the transformation of a hazardous flyover in Seoul, South Korea, into a linear park and the development of a wayfinding system in London that connects the public transport system with the walking network.
Advocacy and Challenges
Walker emphasised the importance of advocacy in promoting walking. He noted that advocates could be practitioners, politicians, or even funders who understand the issue and are willing to champion it. He also highlighted the importance of framing the conversation around social values, economic values, and health values, which are things that communities support.
One of the challenges Walker discussed was the issue of speed limits. He noted that while speed limits are crucial for pedestrian safety, managing speed requires a systems approach that includes vehicle type, road design, and driver behaviour. He also mentioned the need for nudging drivers to protect pedestrians, especially in areas where the necessary infrastructure is not in place.
The Future of Walkable Cities
Walker concluded by highlighting the future of walkable cities. He noted that the biggest gains in cities come from encouraging walking and public transport. He also mentioned the importance of creating walkable catchments for public transport and the potential of these to inspire changes in behaviour.
In his role as a knowledge partner in the Active Cities initiative, Jim Walker continues to champion the cause of walkable cities. His insights and the work of Walk21 are instrumental in transforming cities into places where walking is not just possible, but enjoyable and beneficial for all.
For more insights from Jim Walker and other experts on creating walkable cities, do watch the full video here.