1. Introduction

The domination of motorised vehicles in present-day urban mobility causes widespread traffic congestion, air pollution and other issues. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution from high vehicle emissions causes millions of premature deaths annually, especially in urban areas. Car-centric urban planning leads to sedentary lifestyles, which increases the prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, making it imperative to shift to more sustainable and health-promoting transport modes.

2. Psychological Benefits of Walking

Beyond the physical health benefits, walking has plenty of psychological advantages. It is a form of mindfulness that allows people to disconnect from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with their surroundings. The rhythmic motion of walking can induce a meditative state, reduce anxiety and improve focus.

Moreover, walking in nature has been shown to have a particularly profound impact on mental health. Exposure to green spaces can reduce stress, boost mood and enhance creativity. In a world dominated by cars, buses and trains, it is easy to forget the simplest and most accessible form of transportation, walking, which has the potential to revolutionise urban mobility while offering a host of benefits for individuals and society in general.

• Walking can be a social activity that fosters connections with friends, family and community members. It provides an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations, share experiences and strengthen relationships. Walking in public spaces can increase social interaction and a sense of belonging.
• Walking is a simple and effective way to improve physical health. Regular walking helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve cardiovascular health and aid in weight management. The mental health benefits of walking include reduced stress, anxiety, and depression.
• Walking is a zero-emission mode of transport. Those who choose to walk instead of driving can significantly reduce their carbon footprint, and this is particularly important in urban areas, where transportation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.
• Walkable cities significantly enhance local economies. Streets designed with pedestrians in mind attract more visitors who are likely to frequent local businesses like cafes, shops and markets. It increases foot traffic, boosts sales and contributes to the development of lively and thriving communities. Walking also promotes social interaction and community involvement. Pedestrian-friendly areas create spaces where people can connect, engage in conversations, and form relationships, thus nurturing a sense of unity and stronger community bonds.

3. The Power of Pedestrians

Walking is a fundamental human activity essential for physical and mental health. Walking engages the muscles, improves cardiovascular health and boosts mood. Regular walking can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. It also helps to alleviate the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Beyond individual health benefits, walking contributes to the general well-being of communities because people are more likely to interact with their neighbours, form social connections and nurture a sense of community. Walking-friendly cities are often more liveable, equitable and sustainable.

4. Walking and Urban Design

Cities can encourage walking by designing the city landscape with pedestrians in mind. They must provide safe, comfortable and attractive walking environments. Some key design principles include:

• Pedestrian-friendly streets with wide sidewalks, well-maintained pavements and visible pedestrian crossings are essential for safe and enjoyable walking.
• Traffic calming measures such as speed bumps, traffic circles and narrower roads can slow down traffic and make streets safer for pedestrians.
• Green spaces, including parks, plazas and tree-lined streets, can make cities more appealing and inviting to pedestrians.
• Complete streets that accommodate all transportation modes, including pedestrians, cyclists and public transit.

5. Walking and Urban Planning for the Future

The transition to a more walkable urban environment requires a comprehensive approach that involves policy change, infrastructure investments and community engagement. It is imperative to prioritise pedestrian-friendly designs as cities grow and evolve. The design strategy must consider the following.

• Policy and planning should prioritise walking in urban frameworks, set pedestrian infrastructure targets and allocate funding.
• Investment in infrastructure includes building and maintaining sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian zones and traffic calming measures.
• Community engagement to involve residents in planning, encourage community-led initiatives and promote walking through public campaigns.
• Use technology and innovation, including apps and smart tools, to enhance pedestrian safety and convenience.
• Walkable neighbourhoods involve designing mixed-use areas with walking-distance amenities.
• Ensure pedestrian safety by, among others, building speed bumps and safe crossings to minimise accidents.
• Active transportation that promotes walking and cycling as alternatives to driving.
• Inclusive spaces must ensure that public areas are accessible to all, including those with special needs.

6. Case Studies of Walkable Cities

Technology enhances walking through tools like navigation apps, real-time traffic updates and safety alerts, while innovations such as smart sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly signals improve the walking experience. The following cities are embracing pedestrian infrastructure.

• In Denmark, Copenhagen is renowned for its bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly streets. This city is a global leader in sustainable urban mobility with investments in sidewalks and pedestrian-only zones.
• Bogotá, a city in Colombia, implements initiatives like the Ciclovia program and closes streets to cars on specific days to encourage walking and community engagement and make the city more walkable.
• In Australia, Melbourne is known for vibrant laneways and pedestrian-friendly districts. It prioritises walking through sustainable urban planning and investments in public spaces.
• Portland, a city in Oregon, has pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods and extensive walking trails. It sets an example for promoting walking in the United States.

7. The Role of Technology in Promoting Walking and the Economic Benefits and Climate Impact of Walking

Technology encourages walking through tools like fitness trackers and navigation apps that motivate users to walk and enhance pedestrian safety. Walking-friendly infrastructure drives economic growth by supporting local businesses, boosting tourism and raising property values. Walking is a carbon-neutral mode of transportation that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves air quality and contributes to climate change mitigation and healthier urban environments.

8. Overcoming Barriers to Walking

Despite the numerous benefits of walking, there are barriers dissuading people from walking more often, including the following factors.

• Safety is a primary concern for pedestrians. High-speed traffic, lack of traffic signals, and inadequate lighting can make walking dangerous. Cities should implement traffic calming measures such as speed bumps, traffic lights, and pedestrian zones to ensure the safety of pedestrians. Another factor deterring people from walking is the fear of crime and traffic accidents.
• The lack of safe and accessible infrastructure is one of the biggest hindrances to walking. Many cities are designed with cars in mind, leaving pedestrians with narrow sidewalks, poorly maintained paths and dangerous crossings. Cities must invest in high-quality pedestrian infrastructure, such as wide, well-lit sidewalks, safe crosswalks and pedestrian bridges to encourage walking.
• Adverse weather conditions such as rain and snow can discourage people from walking.
• Walking should be accessible to all, regardless of age, ability and socioeconomic status, which means designing infrastructures that accommodate people with special needs, the elderly and families with young children. Cities must ensure that pedestrian infrastructure is inclusive and fulfils the needs of all community members.
• Cities where driving is a norm often see walking as inconvenient or undesirable. It is imperative to change this mindset through public awareness campaigns, education and community engagement that encourage a new culture that values and promotes walking as a legitimate and attractive mode of transport.

9. Challenges to Walking and Strategies for Improvement

Cities must address the factors hindering walking by prioritising pedestrian safety, investing in infrastructure and encouraging walking through public awareness campaigns. One way to encourage more people to choose their feet is by making walking a more attractive and convenient alternative and dealing with the hindrances, including the following.

• Address the issue of poorly maintained sidewalks, inadequate street lighting and dangerous intersections to encourage walking.
• Individuals with busy schedules struggle to allocate time for walking.
• The social stigma prevalent in some cultures perceives walking as a sign of poverty or low social status.

Policymakers, urban planners and community leaders can overcome these barriers by working together to create environments that prioritise walking. Investing in infrastructure, promoting walking culture and addressing social and economic inequalities can make walking a more attractive and accessible option for everyone.

10. Improving the Future of Walking

Future city transportation will probably be multimodal, with walking at its core. As urban areas experience worsening congestion and pollution, walking presents a sustainable, healthy and cost-effective solution for commuting. Prioritising pedestrian infrastructure, fostering a walking culture and encouraging people to walk more regularly will result in healthier, more equitable and more environmentally friendly cities. The next time one has to run an errand or head to work, they should consider walking. It is a small choice that significantly affects the well-being of individuals, communities and the environment.

11. Conclusions

Walking can revolutionise urban mobility. Cities that prioritise pedestrian infrastructure, safety, accessibility and community engagement can create environments that encourage and support walking. They also improve the health and well-being of city dwellers and contribute to environmental sustainability and economic vitality. The future of urban mobility is within reach, and cities that embrace walking as a key mode of transport can create cleaner, healthier and more vibrant urban spaces. The time to walk towards this future is now.

Auhors :

Nor Azwa Yasmin Mohd Azhar, Postgraduate Student, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Selangor.

Dr. Ahmad Yusri Mohamad, Senior Lecturer, Politeknik Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (POLISAS), Pahang.

Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Nur Izzi Md Yusoff, Senior Lecturer, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Selangor.