1 year update at Pedestrian Space

One year ago I had just completed my first presentation on pedestrianspace.org at the Urbanism Next Center at the University of Oregon conference. It was entitled ‘PR for sidewalks’ and I appreciated the thoughtful dialogue of the attendees that ensued.

Since this presentation and over the course of the past year, ‘Pedestrian Space’ has developed from being focused on the best practices and barriers to pedestrianization projects to being more broadly focused on the multiple dimensions of walkability and its foundational role for sustainable urbanism.

As a media platform, Pedestrian Space is committed to coverage of walkability developments in cities worldwide. The mission of Pedestrian Space also involves a commitment to ongoing awareness-raising, dialogue and analysis of individual & societal car-dependence and the infrastructural as well as psychological transformations required for shifting the mobility paradigm towards a more sustainable model that prioritizes pedestrian mobility, cycling & convenient, affordable access to quality public transportation.

I was recently named a fellow of The Schumacher Institute, in large part due to my work with Pedestrian Space. I look forward to lifelong fellowship with the Institute and honoring their commitment to research, projects and learning for more sustainable societies.

It was also about a year ago that I began to tinker with an idea to create a network of ‘Walkability Correspondents’ around the world- a network to develop solidarity and continuously and collaboratively raise visibility on issues of walkability and sustainable urban mobility.

In late 2021 I began putting the call out for Correspondents and launched the network in January of this year. We now have 43 Walkability Correspondents around the world and a growing network of individuals who are all committed to taking part in the movement to making our towns and cities more livable, equitable and walkable communities.

Just the beginning! Let’s go!

-Annika Lundkvist, Founder & Editor at Pedestrian Space