For many travelers, the decision to spend a few days in an international city hinges on its walkability. Staying in a walkable city is often much more affordable than somewhere that requires you to rent a car to get around between attractions. So what defines a walkable city? These are some of the factors that make a city more walkable.
12/12 A bustling city center
A thriving downtown with plenty to offer is at the heart of what makes a city walkable. Destinations like New York, Buenos Aires or Paris are very walkable as they have city centers that are full of bars, restaurants and shops, encouraging travelers and residents to spend time in the city center at all hours. of the day. When there’s so much to do in a concentrated area, it’s easy to explore a city for a day on foot.
11/12 A historic city center
Along the same lines, cities that have a historic center or old town are also very walkable. Hotels and AirBnBs are usually available near these areas because they are so popular with tourists, making it easy for travelers to base themselves in the most scenic part of a city and close to all major attractions. Examples of very walkable cities with historic centers and Old towns include Tallinn (Estonia)Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Marrakech (Morocco).
10/12 A compact layout
Densely populated cities in a concentrated area are generally more walkable than those that are spread out. An example is the city of Los Angeles, which absolutely requires travelers to rent a car or pay for Uber rides when visiting in order to get around. This is due to the size of the city. Cities where major attractions are closer, such as Toronto or Rome, are much more walkable.
9/12 Waterfront walking trails
Part of what makes a city walkable is the addition of scenic walking paths and trails that encourage people to choose walking over driving or public transportation. For tourists, the scenic waterfront paths are an attraction that makes a city more beautiful and gives them something to do while visiting. Toronto and Boston has beautiful waterfront trails that are very walkable.
8/12 Sufficient pedestrian infrastructure
For a city to be walkable, there must be a pedestrian infrastructure in place. Cities with well-maintained sidewalks, pedestrian-only streets, and crosswalks make pedestrians feel welcome and safe. When it is convenient for travelers to walk, a city automatically becomes more walkable.
7/12 Residential homes near schools and businesses
Walkable towns have residential areas close to commercial areas. This means that when the work day and the school day end, an area maintains its livelihood because people stay. Cities like Toronto, New York and Paris are good examples of this as there are plenty of residential apartments and condos in the downtown area.
6/12 A sense of public safety
Safety is an important factor in a city’s walkability for tourists, especially for women traveling alone. Tourists need to feel like they can walk from place to place without fear of harassment, pickpocketing or worse. It is important to note that a town that is walkable during the day may not be walkable after dark. That’s why it’s important to research a destination’s level of safety and listen to locals about where you should and shouldn’t walk. Copenhagen, Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney and Toronto are among the safest cities in the world (for 2021), which makes them very accessible to tourists. A safe city like Copenhagen is easy to drive through at any time of day or night.
5/12 Application of speed limits or pedestrian zones
Safety goes hand in hand with the enforcement of laws that specifically ensure the safety of pedestrians. Cities that post and enforce speed limits in areas with heavy foot traffic (like school zones) automatically become more attractive to travelers who want to explore a destination on foot. Town centers or historic areas that are closed to vehicles also improve walking. These areas become a safe haven for pedestrians where they can roam freely without worrying about traffic.
4/12 Easy access to recreational activities
Walkable cities offer tourists plenty of activities, so they don’t just walk from point A to point B, but discover things along the way. Malls or neighborhoods and parks with activities like tennis courts, bike paths, and hiking trails provide people with entertainment options wherever they are in the city. Examples are The Harajuku district of Tokyo (for shopping)the beautiful city of Vancouver green space, Stanley Parkand New York City famous central park.
3/12 Outdoor markets and festivals
Open-air markets and street festivals increase the walkability of cities because they must be explored on foot. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is a great city for walking, and this is partly due to the abundance of outdoor markets such as the Mercado Municipal de Río Cuale and the Old Town Viejo Vallarta Market. Whether the markets sell handicrafts, baked goods, street food, or fresh produce, this type of event draws tourists and local residents alike to a specific area of the city on foot.
2/12 Something to discover
A walkable city should give people a reason to explore on foot, which means there should be something new to discover around every corner. Cities that are unique have locals artwork, graffiti and murals painted on the sides of buildings in the alleyways, providing points of interest for travelers exploring on foot. These are sites where they might want to stop, take a photo and appreciate the artistry before moving on. Outdoor cafes in courtyards or outdoor terraces bring the same element of charm and discovery. Stumbling upon a nice cafe where travelers can stop for a moment to appreciate the scenery improves the walkability of an area.
1/12 An extensive public transport system
Walkable cities usually have a reliable and extensive public transport system. The reason public transit complements walking is that it allows local residents to not own a car while living in the city. As a result, people naturally walk more in the city and only use the public transport system for distances that are too long to walk. This means that travelers who don’t want to drive or rent a car during their trip can feel comfortable walking around a city knowing that, if they need to, they can just hop on a bus or train. to cover longer distances.
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