How can we make our communities more walkable?
Print version
(pdf)
Walking is the most popular physical activity in Canada. An area’s walkability is affected by how it’s designed. Some of the key factors that can affect an area’s walkability include:
- Density and land use mix: A mix of homes, stores, schools, parks and other public spaces close to each other makes it more likely that you will walk to where you need to go and combine trips (for example, stopping by the store as you walk home from work or school).
- Street layout: How sidewalks and paths are arranged and whether or not they are dead ends affects how much we walk. A grid street pattern provides more direct routes from place to place. Cul-de-sacs and loops tend to cause us go out of our way to get to our destination, which makes us more likely to drive or put off the outing.
- Safety: Well-maintained, well-lit paths and stairwells, safe places to cross streets and areas that aren’t isolated encourage walking. You can help keep sidewalks outside your home safer for walking by clearing snow and ice in the winter. Report broken or uneven pavement to your city or town council.
- Streetscape design: Landscaping and varied storefront designs can make a walk more pleasing and interesting. If there are no park benches or rest areas along your regular paths, contact your city or town council to ask about making the area more attractive to walkers.
- Accessibility: Gentle slopes, all-weather surfaces, curb cuts, and audible and longer crossing signals all make walking more of an option for people with a wide range of abilities.
Easy-to-access stairwells make taking the stairs instead of the elevator more attractive. Ask your building manager for well-placed signs to direct people to the stairwells.
Find out how to contact or become part of your local trails or pedestrian committee. Ask for the entrances to walking paths to be well-marked. - Weather: Cold, hot, wet or smoggy weather can make it difficult to walk outdoors. Plan ahead and have a list of options for walking when the weather or air quality is less than ideal. Find out where you could walk indoors or where the covered or underground routes are.
How to test an area’s walkability
When you’re looking for a new place to live, take a look at the area’s walkability. The tools listed below can help you rate your current or new community’s walkability.
- Walkability checklist: How walkable is your community?: This checklist helps you and your family judge the walkability of your neighbourhood. The checklist also suggests what to do if your area is not very walkable.
- Active transportation quotient: A guide and calculator to help you judge the quality of your area for active ways of getting around, such as walking and cycling.
Find ways to make walking a part of your day
People walk for many reasons, including health and fitness, recreation and transportation.
You may be able to:
- walk to the bus stop instead of driving to school or work
- walk to the bank at lunchtime (instead of using the drive-through automatic teller after work)
- have a walking meeting instead of meeting at your desk
- go for a stroll to pick berries with your kids instead of driving them to the park to play
- organize a walking school bus in your neighbourhood.
Additional information
- Active Living by Design – Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Fitting places: How the built environment affects active living and active transportation – Go for Green.
- Walk 21: The international charter for walking – Walk21
