How Sidewalks Literally Sideline the Pedestrian

PLENTY OF SIDEWALKS STAND IN NEED OF IMPROVEMENT, AND MANY AREN’T THERE AT ALL. BUT THEY’RE ALSO A SYMBOL OF THE AUTOMOBILE’S ENGINEERED DOMINANCE OF OUR ROADS.
 

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…

https://www.planetizen.com/node/97294?utm_source=newswire&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news-02222018&mc_cid=d33e1a08b5&mc_eid=b71ae7bff7

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

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.