February 20, 2018, Philip Rojc
The rise of the automobile pushed pedestrians to the side, and modern roads often deny them a place to walk altogether. “American society has so normalized our inferior sidewalk system that we don’t believe we deserve a place to walk.”
Meanwhile, a supposed “walking revolution” hasn’t materialized, despite Complete Streets redesigns and campaigns to promote walking. “In 2016, Americans drove more miles than they have in any other year in history.”
Frustratingly, says Walker, pedestrian improvements are now often perceived as a sign of gentrification. “Yet clean, safe, unbroken sidewalks have become such a rarity in this country that designing an area where people can get around primarily by walking—the one mode of transportation that is available and accessible to everyone—is now seen as a harbinger of displacement.”
Read more…
Full story, long form in Curbed:
HOW CITIES CAN CREATE NEW AVENUES FOR PEDESTRIANS
https://www.curbed.com/2018/2/7/16980682/city-sidewalk-repair-future-walking-neighborhood