University of Kentucky LA-9 College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and Connectivity Cooperative Extension Service Enhancing the Pedestrian Travel Environment for Healthier Communities Jayoung Koo, Landscape Architecture

Walkability in the What Is Walkability? What Is Connectivity? Twenty-first Century is the most economical For people to truly experience and Our built environment patterns and healthy way to get around in one’s benefit from walking in a walkable envi- should be supportive of pedestrian environment. However, our built envi- ronment, starting points and target desti- experiences while promoting healthier ronment developed into a form mostly nations must be continuously connected communities. Since the mid–twentieth dependent on motorized vehicles and so a traveler can safely and comfortably century, housing developments have left behind the pedestrian experience. walk or bike to their destination without sprawled beyond limits with conve- When considering walkability, different sharing the way with motor vehicles. Fill- nient and connected infrastructure such disciplines and fields emphasize variables ing in the missing segments or gaps in a as networks. However, such built based on their special interests, such as network can be an efficient and effective environment patterns have influenced overall health (health field), safety (trans- way to enhance walkable environments. personal lifestyles, partly by the lack of portation field), and amenities and use Properly designated travel paths and appropriate environmental settings for (design and planning fields). For the built lanes for alternative travel modes, such safe and engaging outdoor activities environment to be walkable, it must be as bike lanes, , or crosswalks are close and connected to where we live inclusive, inviting, interesting, and safe additional considerations for walkable and work. so that pedestrians can be engaged and environments. Walkability and connec- Attention to and interest in planning continuously use the physical environ- tivity must be addressed simultaneously and design of our built environment has ment (Figure 1). for pedestrians, bicyclists, and even mo- brought about the desire to return to torists to experience a sound travel and walkable communities for a variety of social experience. goals and objectives, including invest- ing in attractive pedestrian-focused environments, engaging in more physi- cal activities, and pursuing healthier lifestyles. Walkability characteristics of a community also have indirect influ- ences on the community’s economic performance, sense of community, and place identity. The goal for this publication is to focus on guiding the development of a sustainable, walkable, and connected community that is suitable for not only urban environments but also small and/ or rural settings. The aim is to illustrate the benefits of enhanced walkability and detail the methods for initiating com- munity projects to improve health and enhance the pedestrian experience. Tools and phasing as well as and streetscapes will be discussed, but this guide focuses less on walkable environ- ments within larger public spaces such as parks or plazas.

Figure 1. Quality walkable environment with space for pedestrians as well as amenities in Midway, Kentucky

Cooperative Extension Service | Agriculture and Natural Resources | Family and Consumer Sciences | 4-H Youth Development | Community and Economic Development Opportunities and Challenges Walkability and connectivity projects are beneficial for towns and communi- ties, as they not only support health and wellness goals for individuals and communities as a whole but also the physical environment, economic activity, aesthetics, and social aspects of sustain- able communities. Proactive communi- ties have developed and adopted master plans and other action-oriented policies that promote pedestrian and bicycle pathways to increase connectivity within the built environment and enhance pe- destrian activities. Several communities have developed and adopted pedestrian/ bike master plans, such as in London and Berea, Kentucky. One characteristic of walkable com- munities is that they have up-to-date, well-maintained physical environments that include a quality network (Figure 1). Successful sustainable com- munities continuously or periodically improve or enhance their pedestrian environment to maintain efficiency and safety. Furthermore, connected walkable environments can help strengthen the livability of a community (Table 1). Poor or deteriorated sidewalks, paths that dead-end or connect to nowhere, and lack of safe design standards create challenges to walkability (Figure Figure 2. Example of poor (top) and fair (bottom) walkability conditions that could benefit 2). Developing and managing attractive, from maintenance and further contextual considerations such as street tree planting and comfortable, and safe built environments shade

Table 1. Opportunities and challenges of walkability and connectivity projects Walkability Connectivity • Assess quality of walkable environments: physical, • Diagnose missing pathways, segments, gaps in the sidewalk infrastructure, etc. network • Collect data about actual users, non-users • Identify potential project areas to connect Opportunities • Address varied range of other related goals (i.e., • Assess need for a well-connected network of quality pathways increase economic activities, safety, etc.) • Projects may be less expensive than creating a network from • Assess ADA compliance in the public realm for scratch traveling • Need to collaborate with various agencies, organi- • Need to collaborate with various agencies, organizations, and zations, groups, etc. groups • Projects may be expensive depending on the total • Difficulty when attempting to connect community areas in Challenges scope of the project conflict • Funding may be limited or take longer to be ac- • Some gaps may be difficult to resolve due to ownership, land crued use policies, etc.

2 for outdoor activities are not always streetscape projects. Such community References economical for communities in the short- endeavors should be suitable to the lo- Centers for Disease Control and Preven- term. Public spaces such as parks and cation and scope of the project and may tion (2015). The Built Environment: An plazas may be appropriate destinations utilize established assessment tools and Assessment Tool and Manual. https:// for physical activities, but often one must guidelines that typically recommend www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dch/built- drive to the destination. The ideal envi- minimum standards. A number of tools environment-assessment/index.htm. ronment would be one where people can and software services are available to aid Clifton, K., A. Livi, and D. Rodriguez safely walk or bike to public spaces along trained volunteers and other decision (2004). Environmental Audits [Pedes- safe and comfortable streetscapes. Plan- makers as communities begin projects. trian Environment Data Scan (PEDS) ning and design solutions can encourage (See the reference section of this publica- Tool]. http://activelivingresearch.org/ effective and efficient development and tion.) Local governments can initiate or pedestrian-environment-data-scan- maintenance. integrate into their overall development peds-tool. strategy smart growth goals or poli- Smart Growth America and National cies that include a range of walkability What Can Communities Do? Complete Coalition (2015). features for local planning and design Developing a community's walkability Safer Streets, Stronger Economies: practices. Each community needs to and connectivity will benefit the public project outcomes determine its own goals, objectives, by providing healthier user experiences from across the country. https://www. needs, and visions to address and plan for and increased community wellness. smartgrowthamerica.org/app/legacy/ successful walkability and connectivity Walkability projects typically address, documents/safer-streets-stronger- projects. promote, and coordinate events and economies.pdf. activities for people to engage in the out- Speck, J. (2012). Walkable City: How door environment. Community health Conclusion Downtown Can Save America, One goals may be addressed through physical Improving the walkability and con- Step at a Time. New York, NY: Farrar, planning and improvements to the built nectivity of the built environment can Straus and Giroux. environment. Improved walkability and support and facilitate healthier lifestyles Litman, T.A. (2003). Economic Value of connectivity can attract a variety of de- and the wellness of a community. The Walkability. Transportation Research mographics and promote outdoor activi- typical walkable and connected environ- Record, 1828, # 03-2731, 3-11. http:// ties. Increased outdoor physical activity ment, like other features and amenities of vtpi.org/walkability.pdf. can reduce issues related to obesity and a supportive community infrastructure, Pedestrian and Bicycle Information improve health awareness. may be conceptualized and managed to Center. (n.d.). Walkability Checklist: Communities must prepare, plan, and provide safe, convenient, and attractive How Walkable is Your Community? implement walkability and connectivity environments to enhance the pedestrian http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/cms/ projects to enhance their built environ- experience. More people walking in their downloads/walkability_checklist.pdf. ments, whether in the form of walkability communities can positively enhance assessments, pedestrian/bike plans, or community health and quality of life.

To contact the author or to request technical assistance with wayfinding or community design, visit the CEDIK website: cedik.ca.uky.edu.

Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic ori- gin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Nancy M. Cox, Director, Land Grant Programs, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Lexington, and Kentucky State University, Frankfort. Copy- right © 2017 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice. Publications are also available on the World Wide Web at www.ca.uky.edu. Issued 9-2017

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