Delivering sustainably walkable neighbourhoods

Delivering Sustainably Walkable Neighbourhoods

Overview:

The report "Delivering Sustainably Walkable Neighbourhoods" aims to outline the requirements for achieving a vision of sustainable, walkable communities. It introduces a new empirical study and showcases Arup's WalkFar tool for evaluating the walkability of new urban developments. The report underscores the importance of creating communities where more than half of journeys are made sustainably.

Key Findings:

1. Vision and Aspirations: The Town and Country Planning Association's 'Garden City Standards for the 21st Century' guide sets an aspiration for at least 50% of journeys to be made without cars, aiming to increase this to 60% over time. This aligns with goals set for new settlements or urban extensions, often marketed as Garden Communities, 15-minute neighbourhoods, or 15-minute cities.

2. Quantitative Evidence: The research offers a toolkit of substantiated evidence to inform planning decisions, focusing on delivering sustainable walkable neighborhoods. It contrasts with existing qualitative literature, providing a quantitative basis for understanding and enhancing walkability.

3. Walking as the Foundation: Walking is considered the most environmentally sustainable mode of transportation, facilitating social equality and communication without the barriers posed by cars or bicycles. It forms the cornerstone for building sustainable communities.

4. Influence of Distance and Scale: The report highlights that journey distance significantly impacts the potential for walking. Minimizing journey times and distances enhances the likelihood of choosing walking over other modes. The concept of a '15-minute walkable neighborhood' is introduced, emphasizing the importance of proximity to amenities.

5. Economic, Social, and Environmental Sustainability: The report discusses the interplay between economic, social, and environmental factors in creating sustainable walkable neighborhoods. It argues that achieving such neighborhoods requires ambitious planning, long-term strategies, and political commitment.

6. Target Mode Shares: The 'Garden City Standards for the 21st Century' suggest targeting a 50-60% share of sustainable travel modes. This shift from the current English average of 26% represents a significant change in travel behavior.

7. Decarbonization Benefits: Each 1% increase in walking as opposed to car travel translates into planting approximately 250 to 500 trees per 1,000 dwellings. For a 3,500-home development, this could mean planting 20,000 to 40,000 trees, highlighting the environmental benefits of increased walkability.

8. Internalization Potential: The report evaluates the potential for internalizing journeys within a compact community setting. This includes making trips locally without needing to travel further, with varying potential based on the scale of the community center (local, district, or town).

Conclusion:

The report emphasizes the critical role of walkability in creating sustainable, livable communities. It advocates for ambitious, long-term planning and policy changes to prioritize walking and cycling, alongside other sustainable travel modes, to achieve the vision of more than half of journeys being made sustainably. By integrating empirical evidence and practical tools like WalkFar, the report aims to inform leaders, policymakers, planners, developers, and designers in crafting sustainable urban spaces that benefit both the environment and society.