'Walkability’ is key to modern cities
More than half the world’s population lives in cities and, within a generation, this will be true even for India. How we design and run our cities is important for virtually every aspect of human activity in the 21st century. Not surprisingly, therefore, we expect our cities to do many things at the same time. We expect them to be energy-efficient and environment-friendly. We want them to be socially inclusive. We also need them to be vibrant engines of economic growth. Are these contradictory goals or is there a way to maximise them simultaneously?
The good news is that there is a design paradigm that is simple, low-cost and combines all these goals. The bad news is that Indian urban planning almost entirely ignores it. The design paradigm is “walkability” and, as we shall see, it is far more important than flyovers, metro-trains and other expensive solutions to urban problems.
Walkability is about urban design that allows people to use walking (perhaps combined with cycling) as an important, if not dominant, means of getting around. Thus, people should be able to walk to work as well as walk to urban amenities like schools, parks, restaurants and shops. Obviously, walking cannot be the only means of urban mobility, especially in a large city. However, urban design can be oriented to walking as a way of life, including linkages to other forms of transport, such as buses, trains and so on.
Why walkability?
Some of the most successful cities in the world invest a large amount
of effort in ensuring walkability — New York, Boston, Singapore,
Amsterdam, Paris and so on. Seoul has torn down a motorway in the
middle of the city and turned it into a pedestrian-friendly path along
a revived stream. New York has converted old, elevated rail tracks in
Lower Manhattan into a walking path. Singapore has created a network of
underground passages in its business and shopping districts connected
to its Mass Rapid Transit system. Even hilly Hong Kong uses a
combination of elevated walkways and escalators to connect its business
district. All of these interventions have proved very popular. Why do
these rich and advanced cities invest heavily in such a basic form of
mobility?
First, walking and cycling are the most environment-friendly means of getting around. Moreover, they are essential for the functioning of all other forms of public transport because the first and last mile of all public transport systems must usually be walked. This is commonly ignored by Indian urban planners. New metro stations and bus stops are created but without any way for the commuter to then walk to her final destination.
Second, walking is the most socially inclusive means of transport. Both rich and poor can walk, and they must use the same public space. This creates social interaction and an egalitarian culture. When applied to a smaller scale — say, to a small town or a neighbourhood — walking creates a sense of community and greater engagement with civic issues. It is not as easy to walk past an overflowing drain or a reeking garbage dump as it is to drive past them. Read More
