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57 results for "walkability"

Walkable Cities Add 1,100 Daily Steps Without Trying
SolutionsFeb 17

Walkable Cities Add 1,100 Daily Steps Without Trying

Your neighborhood matters more than willpower when it comes to walking. New research shows that simply moving to a walkable city adds 1,100 daily steps without changing your mindset.

Scientific American2 min read
Big Rapids Asks Neighbors to Improve Walkability
Acts of Kindness2h ago

Big Rapids Asks Neighbors to Improve Walkability

A Michigan city is turning everyday residents into safety experts through a community audit of sidewalks and bike paths. Volunteers will explore their neighborhoods, identify issues, and help shape future improvements.

Google: volunteers help2 min read
MIT Study: City Design Cuts Obesity, Depression Nationwide
InnovationJul 1

MIT Study: City Design Cuts Obesity, Depression Nationwide

MIT researchers analyzed 28,323 neighborhoods across America and found a powerful connection between how cities are built and how healthy residents are. Walkable blocks, parks, and mixed-use streets don't just make cities prettier—they're cutting rates of obesity, depression, and chronic disease.

MIT News2 min read
Edinburgh Named Best City in Europe, Third Globally
Global NewsMar 12

Edinburgh Named Best City in Europe, Third Globally

Scotland's capital just topped every European city in a worldwide ranking that asked 24,000 residents what makes their home special. Nineteen European cities made the top 50, with walkability, culture, and joy ranking highest.

Euronews2 min read
Europe Takes All Top 10 Spots for Best Walking Cities
Global NewsMay 15

Europe Takes All Top 10 Spots for Best Walking Cities

Every single one of the world's 10 most walkable cities is in Europe, according to a new ranking based on nearly half a million traveler reviews. Rome claimed the crown, while Asian and Latin American cities are quickly climbing the global list.

Euronews2 min read
5 Indian Communities Turn Trash Into Parks and Safe Streets
SolutionsJan 28

5 Indian Communities Turn Trash Into Parks and Safe Streets

From toxic landfills to football fields and car-choked roads to walkable neighborhoods, five Indian communities proved that local problems don't need national solutions. Armed with brooms, bamboo, and better planning, ordinary people are rebuilding their streets one project at a time.

The Better India3 min read
England's New Housing Vision: Green Spaces for Everyone
Planet WinsJan 22

England's New Housing Vision: Green Spaces for Everyone

England wants every new neighborhood to include parks, nature, and walkable amenities as standard features. The vision could transform how communities are built across the country.

Guardian Environment3 min read
Bangkok Turns From Concrete Jungle to Green Paradise
Planet Wins1d ago

Bangkok Turns From Concrete Jungle to Green Paradise

Thailand's capital transformed into a surprisingly green, walkable city during the pandemic. Despite political division, Bangkok shows how clear goals and community consensus can rapidly green a metropolis.

South China Morning Post2 min read
Johannesburg's Downtown Gets Solar Lights and Clean Streets
Acts of KindnessJan 22

Johannesburg's Downtown Gets Solar Lights and Clean Streets

A pioneering partnership is transforming Johannesburg's inner city into a safe, walkable destination with solar-powered streetlights, spotless boulevards, and vibrant public spaces. What seemed impossible just months ago is now breathing new life into South Africa's largest city.

Daily Maverick2 min read
Teen's Costa Rica Vlog Reaches 1.5M Young Travelers
VideosJul 30

Teen's Costa Rica Vlog Reaches 1.5M Young Travelers

A 19-year-old's beach vacation video just gave a small Costa Rican town the kind of exposure tourism boards dream about. The four-day trip showcased walkable beaches and tropical sunsets to an audience of 1.5 million young Americans.

Tico Times Costa Rica2 min read
Europe's Best Second Cities Beat Tourist Crowds
Global News3d ago

Europe's Best Second Cities Beat Tourist Crowds

Travelers are ditching packed capitals for Europe's charming "second cities" that offer authentic culture, local food, and historic charm without the endless queues. From Croatia's coastal Split to Ireland's walkable Cork, these hidden gems deliver richer experiences at lower prices.

Euronews2 min read
Founding CEO Returns to Restore South African City Agency
Acts of KindnessJul 8

Founding CEO Returns to Restore South African City Agency

After 10 years away, Pierre Voges is coming out of retirement to stabilize the Mandela Bay Development Agency he launched in 2004. His five-month mission focuses on the basics: making streets safe, clean, and walkable again.

Daily Maverick2 min read
European Cities Cut Traffic 28% Without Banning Cars
SolutionsMay 6

European Cities Cut Traffic 28% Without Banning Cars

Cities across Europe are proving you don't need car bans to reclaim streets for people. Oslo, Paris, and Copenhagen are using smart design and incentives to cut traffic by up to 28% while making neighborhoods cleaner, greener, and more walkable.

DW News3 min read
Philly Artist Brings 17 Countries to Chinatown Murals
Acts of KindnessJul 17

Philly Artist Brings 17 Countries to Chinatown Murals

A Chinatown artist is transforming his neighborhood into a walkable gallery with colorful murals celebrating 17 nations ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Each 3-by-3-foot "cultural window" welcomes the world to Philadelphia, one flamingo and bald eagle at a time.

Google News - Unity Celebration2 min read
California Plan Would Create 530,000 Jobs, $16B in Taxes
SolutionsJan 21

California Plan Would Create 530,000 Jobs, $16B in Taxes

A new economic study reveals that a proposed city in Solano County, California could create over half a million jobs and generate $16 billion in annual tax revenue. The project combines America's largest manufacturing park, biggest shipyard, and first walkable city built in a century.

Google News - Jobs Created2 min read
Cities Worldwide Redesigning to Support 100-Year Lives
SolutionsApr 15

Cities Worldwide Redesigning to Support 100-Year Lives

As the global population over 65 skyrockets to 1.2 billion by 2040, cities from Singapore to Japan are racing to create neighborhoods where people can thrive for a century. The redesigns include fitness programs, walkable parks, and tech-enabled homes that make healthy aging accessible to everyone.

Mens Health2 min read
Chennai Unveils Pedestrian Plaza With Trees and Lights
Planet WinsJan 26

Chennai Unveils Pedestrian Plaza With Trees and Lights

A busy Chennai road just got a major upgrade with new pedestrian paths, better lighting, and fresh pavement that residents are calling "how urban streets should be." The city is now adding parking and traffic solutions to complete the transformation.

The Hindu2 min read
Union Square Hits 90% Occupancy After Public Investments
SolutionsAug 1

Union Square Hits 90% Occupancy After Public Investments

New York's Union Square district reached 90% storefront occupancy thanks to smart public investments that turned Broadway into a pedestrian plaza. Over 51 new businesses opened their doors this year, with 24 more on the way.

Google News - Economic Growth2 min read
Singapore's Smart City District Wins Green Design Award
InnovationJun 16

Singapore's Smart City District Wins Green Design Award

Singapore's one-north district just won a major international design award for proving that dense cities can stay cool, green, and liveable. This 200-hectare innovation hub uses science to beat the heat and boost biodiversity in one of the world's most compact urban environments.

Google News - Singapore Technology2 min read
Solar Sidewalks Arrive in Europe to Power Public Spaces
InnovationMay 6

Solar Sidewalks Arrive in Europe to Power Public Spaces

Chinese manufacturer Arctech just launched solar pavement tiles in Europe that generate clean energy from walkways and sidewalks while supporting two-ton loads. The breakthrough means every step you take on city streets could soon help power the neighborhood.

PV Magazine2 min read

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