PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY STREETSCAPES

 
   

What Is It?

Pedestrian-friendly streetscaping is the process of re-creating streets and sidewalks as the center of communal life. At one time, streetscapes were where people of all ages walked, biked, shopped, ate, played, and met their neighbors. But today, streets with this kind of activity are the exception rather than the rule. Towns and cities are full of barriers that discourage walking or bicycling as a means of transportation, recreation, commerce or keeping fit and healthy. The occasional pedestrian is often made to feel like an alien in a world made only for cars. Addressing these barriers means more than just building more sidewalks or adding trails. Land use and transportation planning, ordinance revision, and developing economic incentives for businesses all play important roles toward creating an environment that makes walking easy, safe and convenient, and brings vitality back to city streets.

Shared Impact and Benefits

  • Whenever walking becomes a reasonable alternative to driving, some people will walk rather than drive, and taking those extra cars off the road will help to reduce vehicle miles traveled and have a positive impact on air quality.

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  • Fitness experts agree that regular daily activity is the key to good health. Walking is the most affordable and convenient way for most of us to stay active.

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  • Pedestrian-oriented streets encourage shoppers to linger. Retail and commercial developers have learned, that walkable context sells.

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  • Street trees not only attract pedestrians, they also help clean the air, reduce storm water runoff, and moderate temperatures.

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  • Walking is the cheapest form of transport for everyone. Walkable communities have the most affordable and most efficient transportation system available.

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  • Streets that draw more pedestrians and encourage social interaction tend to have lower crime rates and other social problems.

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  • Cities and towns that offer interesting streets with active pedestrian life become vibrant cultural and economic centers that draw visitors from the surrounding region.

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Costs

Many grants are available for existing streetscape redevelopment. Policy changes can direct new development to meet updated streetscape requirements with private funds.

   
 

This Action Item can be implemented as a

POLICY
ORDINANCE
PROGRAM

 

How long does this take to implement?

Once a vision is developed and a good implementation strategy is in place, major changes to a community can be seen in just a few years.

   

  • In just a few years, investments in a community through pedestrian-oriented streetscape improvements may show visible and economic results. These improvements can help make the community healthier, more vibrant and a more attractive place to live, work and own a business. Such revitalized communities offer more incentive to visitors and new businesses.