Pedestrian Space is an NGO that through media, communications & research advocates & educates on walkability as a central aspect of sustainable urbanism.
Pedestrian Space is a media and advocacy platform established in 2021 to document and explore aspects of walkability as a key dimension for sustainable urban development. The platform presents living examples of walkable urbanism, best practices as well as barriers to pedestrianization and covers issues of quality of life, health, spatial and social equity and environmental benefit of walkable communities.
At the heart of media and advocacy at Pedestrian Space is the interest in and commitment to the development of healthy, liveable and sustainable communities.
The platform is also dedicated to inspiring and engaging in dialogue about the reduction of car dependence as a critical and global issue. The idea of a “culture of walkability” as manifest in several dimensions- including media depictions of walking as a form of mobility, public space that supports quality pedestrian infrastructure and connectivity and the habits, psychological and environmental factors that form our mobility choices- is also a central focus.
Pedestrian Space operates from a transdisciplinary approach to “walkability”, through the lens of multiple issues related to pedestrianization and urbanism including:
- Urban planning: development of sustainable cities
- Mobility equity: Access for all users
- Children & the City: Safe movement, access to play spaces & more
- Transportation planning: Development of physical infrastructure and network for pedestrian movement
- Local Economy: Effect of pedestrianization plans on local economy
- Health: Benefits of walking for physical and mental health, on an individual as well as community level
- Preservation: Protection of historic neighborhoods and built environment via pedestrianization
- Environmental Psychology: Cultural, social and spatial influences on walkability mindsets
- Environmental Protection: Sustainability goals as a central feature in walkable urbanism
Walkability is is essential to sustainable urban development; a key factor for social & spatial equity in towns & cities; critical for the physical, emotional & mental health of residents & one of the most important aspects when considering the mobility needs & patterns of all age groups. Walkability is a civic right.
CHRONOLOGY
- May 2020: Social media account @pedestrianspace established with the initial goal of beginning to explore the landscape of walkability issues and pedestrianization projects
- January 2021: pedestriandspace.org established as a media and research platform on barriers and best practices to pedestrianization projects. It would later develop with a broader focus on the many dimensions of walkability, walkability’s central role in sustainable urbanism and issues of individual and societal car dependence.
- January 2022: The Global Walkability Correspondents Network established.
- February 2022: Pedestrian Space founder Annika Lundkvist confirmed as a Fellow for The Schumacher Institute.
- June 28, 2022: Pedestrian Space is included in the launch of the UN-Habitat People-Centered Smart Cities Compendium (listed on map at Kraków) at the World Urban Forum.
- August 2023: Pedestrian Space established as an NGO
- January 2025: Pedestrian Space is a cooperation partner of the Driving Urban Transitions CONIFER (Co-Imagining Needs-Based Mobility Visions for the Proximity City) project. Read more here.
See more on our activities below at ‘Featured’:
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