There’s a Chinese proverb that says the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The more I travel around the world, the more I’m surprised how many cities stunt that journey before it even begins – and the high quality experiences I’ve had in the ones that are easy to navigate by foot.
The idea that people are able to reach all the basic necessities of life (shops, schools, leisure spaces, entertainment, etc.) within a short walking (or cycling) distance is an urban design concept known as the 15-minute city. Essentially, anyone living in these spaces can reach (almost) everything they need on foot: No car necessary.
There are lots of compelling reasons for cities to adopt urban design principles embracing walkability, not least of which is the fact that an estimated 60% of the world’s population will be living in cities by 2030. Walking has a myriad of health and wellbeing benefits, and people are increasingly choosing to live car-free lives. Walkable cities are also cleaner, safer, and quieter.
Of course, these are all wonderful benefits for people living their daily lives in a city, but they benefit tourists visiting these cities as well. Adopting a regenerative approach to tourism requires addressing the needs and concerns of local residents. When those are met (or enhanced by the presence of tourism), then travelers also benefit.
And when it comes to walkable spaces, there are many knock-on benefits for travelers: On foot, travelers are in a better position to have chance encounters with strangers, find local businesses of interest, and encounter serendipitous experiences. They’re also more likely to disperse beyond the hot spots and are able to bump into sites that weren’t on their “must see” lists.
During the global lockdown, some cities embraced car-free spaces on a large scale for the first time. While some have vowed to make the move permanent, others have slowly trickled back into car-centric habits that defined “the before times.” Regardless, there are many things cities can do from a tourism standpoint to encourage people to walk – all of which are applicable to local residents too.
Embrace vibrant experiences.
Host “open streets” events on temporarily closed roads that encourage people to get outside and socialize in public spaces. Give them a reason to slowly wander down sidewalks or through squares. These can be anything from crafts fairs to cultural events and food truck gatherings to fun runs.
When you give people a compelling reason to stroll further than they normally would because they’re enjoying the experience, this is called “pedestrian propulsion.” This may have economic benefits (according to a 2011 study, 60% of visitors spend money at multiple businesses at street markets), and it also creates a safe, enjoyable experience for visitors.
Support artistic and creative initiatives.
Cultural tourism is a big draw, and if you support a walkable city through this lens, the streets literally become a stage. For many years, Milan supported Strad@perta, a web platform where street artists could pitch and book street locations from which to perform without paying any tax. Though it is unclear whether the program is still active, the popularity of this model – by both street artists and those who sought out their performances – demonstrates the potential when cities relax their permitting rules and encourage creativity to take to the streets.
Promote walking tours and routes.
Encourage travelers to traverse a city on foot by developing and promoting walking tours and routes with a story. People may initially be drawn to a 101 or “top sites” tour, but offering a laundry list of themes – street art, a specific time in history, literary figures, attractions for kids, etc. – may draw them back over and over again. A robust variety of walking tours and routes is also a fabulous way for locals to explore (and re-explore) their own backyard.
Keep in mind that not all walking tours or themed routes need to be led by a guide: Build partnerships with app platforms, quest companies, and media outlets so you can offer a wide variety of both guided and self-guided experiences that appeal to a wide swath of visitors. Though reaching beyond the confines of a single city, I particularly enjoyed walking the 75-kilometer Liechtenstein Trail, which offered dozens of interesting factoids that were “unlocked” along the way using an app.
Create user-friendly, relaxing green spaces.
Dense cities are significantly warmer than rural areas, and motorized vehicle traffic plays a big part in this. To encourage people to get out of cars – and find refuge from the heat – make sure there are ample parks and green spaces. (“Pocket parks,” or small pieces of land, often on single building lots, are valuable and worth investing in too.)
These spaces offer a respite between city sights, but they can also be attractions in and of themselves. People should have access to shaded walking paths, benches, and areas to relax. Invest resources to ensure these spaces stay clean, safe, and well lit at night. Mark them clearly on tourist maps.
Invest in public art.
Public art is a win-win proposition: It beautifies a neighborhood, is a great way to turn a space into an experience, and is often best enjoyed on foot. Plus, if you turn the creation of the art into an event and/or hire local artists, there is an added benefit. Art infuses cultural vibrancy into a place. Plus, original art is one more aspect that sets a city apart from all others.
Develop intuitive ride-share systems and public transport options.
Sometimes walking just isn’t going to cut it. When that’s the case, make sure there are ample, accessible, flexible, and intuitive ride-share and public transport options available.
We’ve all been there: You need to put exact change into a ticket kiosk, which you don’t have; or there’s no ticket kiosk in the station you’re in; or the closest bike share station is several kilometers away. When and where people can’t go on foot, cities must make it easy and obvious how to use these systems. Don’t weigh people down with confusing maps, data-intensive apps, or processes that don’t make sense for those who are unfamiliar with the area or using them for the first time.
