In view of the accelerated urbanization process that has imposed challenging problems such as traffic jam, pollution and violence, sustainable initiatives are gaining momentum to transform people’s relationship with the city, making it a better place to live.
The concept of walkable cities, a planned urban development model, is considered a global trend adopted in several countries around the world to ease the complexity of urban life and promote a better quality of life for citizens.
Who wouldn’t want to have more time on a daily basis? This is just one of the advantages of working or studying close to where you live. Even better if you have leisure and entertainment options available within walking distance.
The application of the concept of walkable cities aims precisely to enable people to enjoy the services, infrastructure and benefits of the city in an accessible environment that allows travel at comfortable distances to be covered on foot or by means of active modes such as bicycle and scooter.
In order to make a city walkable, it is necessary to adapt urban planning taking into account social relationships to be able to express the personality of those who live in them. In this sense, thinking about walkable cities is thinking about people first.
Understand the concept of walkable cities in practice and what the benefits of living in these spaces are.
Understand the concept of walkable cities
The concept of walkable cities, presented by the American architect and urban planner Jeff Speck, defends the idea of the development of cities for people, providing greater urban mobility when creating urban projects that encourage walking.
A simple act that causes significant changes in the economy and organization of public and private spaces. After all, in order to make urban spaces more passable, mainly by pedestrians, it is necessary to invest in the construction of wider sidewalks, well-paved streets, urban afforestation, intelligent traffic lights, lighting and accessibility.
Interventions that put “walkability” at the forefront and bring benefits to residents, entrepreneurs and investors.
Discover the main advantages of living in a walkable city:
Time saving
Walkable cities allow their residents to have more time by shortening distances, reducing the time spent on long commutes.
Prioritizing pedestrians in the urban space
Prioritizing pedestrians is the most effective way to develop urban projects that transform people’s relationship with the city, enabling citizens to become the focus in a more humane city.
Attractive and safe public spaces
Public spaces are designed to encourage interaction between people and strengthen connections between those who live or work there.
Urban afforestation
Urban afforestation is essential to ensure the well-being and health of residents. In addition to contributing to reduce pollution and noise excess, present mainly in large capitals, this urban kindness makes the environments conducive to physical exercise and active transport.
Cidade Pedra Branca: walkable city model
Pedra Branca Creative City, located in the municipality of Palhoça (SC), is a reference in adopting innovative ways of thinking and making walkable cities in Brazil. The pioneering project in Brazil and Latin America, places people as the main figure in the developed urban projects.
The planned neighborhood-city includes universities, schools, hundreds of companies from the most different segments and, also, several leisure and entertainment options. Infrastructure that allows people to live, work, study and have fun within walking distance.
In the Webinar “The thinking and making of walkable cities in Brazil”, thinkers and developers Ricardo Birmann from Urbitá/DF, Marcelo Gomes from Cidade Pedra Branca/SC and Fabiano de Marco from Parque UNA/RS deepened the debate on the theme. Access and check the exclusive content for free.
Did you get interested in living in a walkable city? Discover the options of available developments in Pedra Branca Creative City.