Jeff Speck: The Walkable City – Lessons from the U.S.

Walkable towns and cities tend to, but not always, be better looking places overall because of foliage.

You are not in Traffic "YOU" are the Traffic

That's what it was like being a kid in the middle of the country. It's like, we had a degree of independence, but there was NOWHERE TO GO.

There was just... the North American wilderness. Beats the McSuburbs, but equally car dependant.

My grandma lived close to my school, so I'd walk there after school and my mom picked me up on her way home from work, so I always had a free couple hours. And luckily that walk to Grandma's included to the only couple blocks of walkable area for MILES. There were a couple little grocery stores that also doubled as video stores, and a friend lived on the way, there was a small bridge the kids hung out under.

Otherwise you just had to be shuttled by parents to go ANYWHERE.

Western Michigan is dotted with these little towns that are fairly walkable, but once you get outside those few blocks, a car is a prerequisite again.

this dude is a legend

I was a car person, had dozens of them at any one time, collectibles living in Northern California, commuting 1 time a week 300km each way between two businesses, a ranch in the mountains and Marin Country just north of San Francisco where my recording studio and another business 9km away a large 10,000sq ft shop repairing professional audio equipment. In 2000 I gave everything away and moved out of the US. with 2 suitcases and $6000 to St Petersburg Russia, a large city of 7 million that is one of the most cultured and beautiful cities in the world. That was 22 years ago and I have loved every minute of it...and never bought a car. Living in the city center a world of culture is within walking distance, plus easy access to low-cost buses, trams, trolleys, electric scooters, bikes, and the most beautiful subway system of anywhere except Moscow. My total cost of transportation is about $50 per month including going out every evening and many days to explore, dine, museums, 600 beautiful parks, 44 islands, palaces cathedrals more opera, ballet and symphonic halls than anywhere. 13,000 restaurants with 4 or 5-star ratings. The rideshare taxi is about $0.30km. I walk 15km at least every day just living and exploring. Everything needed is available in small neighborhood shops, 27 food shops within two blocks, that specialize in something like dairy, meat, bakeries, small, shops just for tea, etc, then a little larger shops that are general groceries and further out large supermarkets for people with cars. There are no gas stations in the city center and very few parking lots. Quality of life is much better than in California. Electric trains can take you to forests and beaches, for $0.45. My cost of living is 1/10th of what is was in California when I owned my homes and cars outright. Overall, of the 92 countries I have spent time in, the US is one of the least true quality of life, where the cost of living is very high, and access to safe parks recreation, and culture is very poor. There are more world-class museums, concert halls, ballet palaces, parks, drama theaters, etc than the entire USA. The city has lakes, islands, 44 islands, and wide or pedestrian streets. of sidewalks 240 drama theaters thousands of pubs, and no parking lots. than any There is a drive to eliminate private cars in the city center to further improve quality of life. I am 73yo and very active socially and culturally, dancing, working out, walking, working, and dating women less than1/2 my age.

The general rules for me willing to walk is like getting off the class to cafeteria in high school or campus. That is more or less good distance and experience. Not everyone like to go camping for food each day.

One thing for my experience in North America, going everywhere require traffic, I can never get out of the parking lot of Walmart without a car.
In a sense, we trap ourselves from distance and staying so fair away than we are limited by the seat is available to be close by. Those become our Cell mate.

Brilliant concepts that should be emphasized by our 'leaders/government' for a overall better and healthier living standard for all.

Wow, what a fascinating lecture. This autoplayed for me as I was wrenching on my bike, apropos of nothing seemingly. I couldn’t be assed to find my phone and hit next so I ended up listening and, soon after, watching the whole thing. Utterly interesting insights into the world of urban planning for a guy who had managed to never think about it until now. Thank you!

Here in Newark NJ we have a walkability score of 86 which actually makes us #3 for walkability in the U.S., although we are never mentioned. Still there are some problem areas which would really benefit from your work. Have you ever studied Newark?

Japan can offer good examples when it comes to parking prices and acquisition.

One of the very phenomena of commune in extreme of story in Theaters is Falling Down from Michael Douglas.

put the cap on the CBE ! cross bronx expressway .
use new land from cap project to build affordable housing.
put a cap on RR tracks, north park ave line - bronx, 132 st -190 st.
use land for affordable housing.
build on the long island sound " A florida keys style
overseas highway " . this will relieve the CBE

This video is amazing! Come please make Southern California, Los Angeles Orange County and San Diego more walkable!

usually in any video related to Finland, the comments are full of Finnish people, but not here...

Great talk !

A city use to design with Square, is where all the event and venders happening. Where is No car in area. Then we have mall, slowly we just block off more and more in zone system only to the beneficial.

I guess neighborhood is more likely of from Campus to Campus on similar concept of idea and ideal.

I’d like to hear a little about the (semi?) outdoor venue he’s speaking at. Can anyone bring me up to speed?

5:00 people in the US, as it turns out, do not listen to epidemiologists.