If you’re like us, the thought of hopping on the freeway to get from place to place is anxiety-inducing. Endless traffic and people speeding with complete disregard for their lives or the lives of others are just a couple of the reasons why driving is a complete nightmare. Unfortunately, this is a recurrent nightmare in most of the car-centric cities and towns in the United States.
It is our belief that cities should be walkable and accessible for everyone. It seems obvious that it is better for the earth to have a more efficient urban infrastructure that relies less on oil and the waste created by cars. Economic equality is also a benefit since a network that does not rely on cars means that people are able to live in an area without needing to worry about the added expenses of owning a vehicle.
Being able to live in a place where you can walk to get food, entertainment, recreation, healthcare services, and other social institutions and establishments is a huge quality-of-life asset and some cities are better than others at providing this to their citizens (mostly outside of the US, unfortunately). Below, and ranked in no particular order, are 10 cities that get the job done according to a study done by Pedestrian First.
It should be noted that Pedestrian First included metro areas in their calculations so American cities are not included in this list, but in general US cities such as New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Boston are generally considered to be the most walkable in this country. Even still, America has a lot to learn. You can visit Walkscore.com to check out some statistics on American cities and their walkability.
Paris
Percent of residents within 1km (3280ft) services: 85%
Number of blocks per km2: 60
Population density: 21,000 km2 (53,000 sq mi)
Percent of residents near car-free public spaces: 61%
Berlin
Percent of residents within 1km (3280ft) services: 77%
Number of blocks per km2: 74%
Population density: 3948 km2 (10,230 sq mi)
Percent of residents near car-free public spaces: 72%
Amsterdam
Percent of residents within 1km (3280ft) services: 52%
Number of blocks per km2: 92
Population density: 5,214 km2 (13,500 sq mi)
Percent of residents near car-free public spaces: 68%
Marrakesh
Percent of residents within 1km (3280ft) services: 63%
Number of blocks per km2: 64
Population density: 8,826 km2 (22,859 sq mi)
Percent of residents near car-free public spaces: 44%
Buenos Aires
Percent of residents within 1km (3280ft) services: 65%
Percent of residents within 500m (1640ft) of public transportation: 71%
Number of blocks per km2: 70
Population density: 13,680 km2 (34,800 sq mi)
Percent of residents near car-free public spaces: 16%
Hong Kong
Percent of residents within 1km (3280ft) services: 85%
Number of blocks per km2: 51
Population density: 6,801 km2 (17,614 sq mi)
Percent of residents near car-free public spaces: 85%
Milan
Percent of residents within 1km (3280ft) services: 80%
Number of blocks per km2: 44
Population density: 7,700 km2 (20,000 sq mi)
Percent of residents near car-free public spaces: 62%
Glasgow
Percent of residents within 1km (3280ft) services: 61%
Number of blocks per km2: 60
Population density: 3,555 km2 (9,210 sq mi)
Percent of residents near car-free public spaces: 64%
Medellin
Percent of residents within 1km (3280ft) services: 69%
Number of blocks per km2: 77
Population density: 6,925 km2 (17,940 sq mi)
Percent of residents near car-free public spaces: 37%
London
Percent of residents within 1km (3280ft) services: 80%
Number of blocks per km2: 48
Population density: 5,666 km2 (14,670 sq mi)
Percent of residents near car-free public spaces: 59%
Source: Pedestrian First
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