Urban planners and local authorities must improve walkability in cities to tackle poor health and social inequality, researchers said on Thursday, after the coronavirus pandemic highlighted the importance of being able to walk easily and safely.
The cities of Paris, London, Bogota and Hong Kong are among the most walkable in the world, according to a new study of nearly 1,000 cities by New York-based non-profit Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP).
Improving walkability is particularly important now, as safety concerns have led to a sharp drop in the use of public transport, posing greater risks for vulnerable residents, said Heather
A walkable neighbourhood is associated with better health for residents and fewer road fatalities. It also boosts local businesses, reduces social inequalities and increases resilience to climate-change impacts and economic shocks, Reich said.Thompson, chief executive of ITDP.
I – Word Understanding
Social inequality – unequal access to the benefits of belonging to a society
Fatalities – death by accident, war, disease, calamity, etc.
Resilience – the ability to recover or adjust to changes
II – Have Your Say
1, How walkable is your city? What improvements are needed to make your city better for walking?
2, Are you satisfied with the present transportation system in your city? How safe do you feel right now?
3, What are your concerns when it comes to social inequality – in your city, in your country, in the world?
775 How walkable is your city? London, Hong Kong put pedestrians first
