Why are Walkable Communities Important?

There are economic, health, environmental, transportation and social benefits of building and sustaining a community that supports walking as a primary mode of transportation. They include:

• Health: Reducing the health risks such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease currently faced in our communities.
• Environment: Replacing short distance auto trips that damage the environment by impacting air and water quality.
• Road Traffic and Congestion: Reducing road congestion, and improving safety by calming auto traffic and reducing maintenance costs.
• Society: Promoting community cohesion and a heightened sense of place. Discouraging street crime by increasing pedestrian and cycling traffic. Reintroducing residents to the street to enhance their awareness of the environment.
• Economy: Reducing health care costs by increasing the health of residents. Improving access to employment, education & social services.