I don’t recall where I first heard it, but it’s a basic truth that rings true that for many US American youth, the college campus is the first time they experience walkability.
By the time the photo below was taken in Ithaca in Winter 2004 or 2005, I had already experienced a walkable lifestyle in both the USA and Europe. But living ‘in town’ in Ithaca while doing my Master’s in Historic Preservation at Cornell University // Cornell University College of Architecture, Art, and Planning allowed me the opportunity to experience a vibrant and walkable small city lifestyle while also experiencing a beautiful and walkable campus lifestyle.
I walked up the hill (and often through the gorges) in all weather (as shown in this photo). I also occasionally took the city bus when I was running late, which, if I recalled, was pretty efficient service.
I haven’t looked at the research – and I’m sure there’s plenty- but the study of walkability of university campuses is worthwhile. I think it’s also a great topic to convey outside of research, for the general public, for example, in university and local newspapers.
I think the study of walkability of US military posts is also worthwhile, but that’s a topic for another post.
In my hand in the photo, I’m holding the book ‘Community and the Politics of Place’ by Daniel Kemmis, which I was reading for coursework & plan to revisit.