Most cities don’t prioritise pedestrians,despite the health benefits. But one US city has shown what can happen when you kick the car habitZurich is one of the best. London is pretty fine but could be better. Johannesburg is terrible. Bogota has taken it seriously. Oklahoma has made meaningful improvements.
The walkability of cities can significantly affect the health – physical and mental – of its citizens. A brisk 20-minute walk a day reduces risk of premature death. One UK doctor who started organising walks for patients with chronic health problems recorded that 29% were able to give up antidepressants and 92.5% said their mood had improved. LSE research found that people who walked regularly were likely to weigh less than those who go to the gym. “The results provide an argument for a campaign to promote walking,” concluded the research. “Recommending that people walk briskly more often is a cheap and easy policy option.”Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com