Beyond the obvious health benefits, there’s an economic upside. “Walkable communities are attractive places for businesses to locate, which may help local economies thrive,” Murthy reasons. Another bonus: less air pollution.
There are several steps that city leaders can take. The addition of public transit encourages higher rates of walking to and from stations and stops. The placement of attractions, offices and commerce close to residential areas makes strolling more convenient. Safety measures such as improved street lighting, crosswalks and slower speed speeds also promote walking.
In a blog post for Better Cities and Towns, Robert Steuteville writes that the proposals are of “critical interest to urbanists.”
Read the full story here. This article originally appeared at Citiscope, a nonprofit news outlet that covers innovations in cities around the world. More at Citiscope.org.
