Insider Monkey

15 Most Walkable Cities in the US

Ashar Jawad
8 min read

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In this article, we look at the 15 Most Walkable Cities in the US. You can skip our detailed analysis on walkability of cities and head over directly to the 5 Most Walkable Cities in the US.

Walkable cities are referred to those cities or neighborhoods that are pedestrian-friendly and enable journey on foot. Walking still continues to be the cheapest mode of transportation and is the oldest form of human mobility. Developing cities that are walkable is a great way to build equitable and affordable transport systems for communities, and can also help address some pressing environmental challenges facing the globe such as carbon emissions.

Goal 11 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is regarding making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. One way of doing it is through the concept called The 15 Minute City – given by Professor Carlos Moreno, which calls for building cities in a way that all basic necessities like shops, parks, schools, offices, and others are within a 15-minute walk or bicycle ride. A number of mayors around the world endorsed the concept in a report published last year and emphasized on allocating more space in their cities to walking and cycling.

A research paper published at the University of Minho in Portugal focused on attributes required in a well functioning pedestrian network. Cities are considered walkable if the pedestrian system is coherent and in continuity, in the sense that sidewalks or streets are organized and understandable. Moreover, there should be a balance of transportation modes that encourage pedestrian participation.

Convenience is another vital factor. Urban structures that offer proximity to facilities of basic necessities are more likely to encourage people to walk, rather than take a car. High pedestrian activity is also noted in areas with high residential density. Lastly, a pedestrian network should also provide safety against crime, and protection from traffic accidents or collisions.

Boston is the most walkable city in the US, followed by Washington, DC and New York City. What makes the Massachusetts capital pedestrian-friendly is the accessibility its residents have in meeting their daily needs by foot, whether it is going to school or work, or walking your way into a shop or pub. On the other hand, Chesapeake in Virginia is the least walkable city in the US. This is due to the fact that almost all errands require a car in the city. Other cities in country that rank low on walkability include Fayetteville, Winston-Salem, and Jacksonville.

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