If you’re anything like me, you love a good walk around your town. One of my favorite places to walk in Little Rock is the River Market. I enjoy walking past the local shops, restaurants, and getting an incredible view of the Arkansas River. What exactly makes an area of a town “walkable”? It takes a little more than funky local shops.
While there are a number of aspects that contribute to an area’s “walkability,” here are just three you can consider in your own city’s downtown…
- Accessibility
It’s no secret that everyone wants to be included, so you must take into account the mobility of all residents. Is it safe and easy for a wheelchair to travel across a crosswalk? Is it comfortable to push a stroller down the sidewalk? Be sure all parts of your town are ADA compliant.
- Amenities
Consider adding benches and interesting flowers to your sidewalks. This can encourage visitors to literally “stop and smell the roses”. Amenities motivate visitors to spend time and even further explore an area. They are more likely to walk around, stop into shops or restaurants, should an interesting path lead them there.
- Complete streets
“Complete streets” take into consideration all forms of transportation – walking, biking, and driving. Complete streets are not only easier for everyone to navigate, regardless of their mode of transportation, but they are safer too!
By taking these three elements into consideration, you can help improve your town’s walkability.
Believe it or not, making your city “walkable” and improving the walkability of certain parts of your town can benefit your town in nearly every aspect, including economically! Check back soon to learn more…
To find out more about walkable cities, check out Episode 9 of the CDI Podcast featuring Dave Roberts of Crafton Tull. CLICK HERE to listen.