I now realize that walkability was always in the background of everything I did and I now want to motivate residents in Reykajvík to leave their cars behind and start walking.
Introducing our Iceland-based Correspondent Tamara Kocan!
Here at Pedestrian Space we recently launched a Global Walkability Correspondents Network, as a way to build solidarity among walkability advocates around the world and continue to create media on sustainable mobility and urbanism.
We are grateful to welcome Tamara as Reykjavík Correspondent to our growing network of individuals who are passionate walkability advocates.
WHO
I am a consultant in sustainability and a mother of two. At the moment I work part-time for a non-profit and also consult tourism companies on becoming more sustainable. My heart lies in making this world more sustainable and walkability is finally the field where I can bring together all the experiences I gathered over the years.
I have been walking as a means of transport for over 20 years as I have never learned to drive a car. I grew up in Switzerland in a small village which was well connected by train and chose from then on to primarily use public transport or my feet to go places.
After studying Interior architecture, I wanted to create spaces that had a social impact and went to do a Master’s in Sustainable Design in the UK. In London, I worked in a consultancy firm that specialized in making buildings and urban planning accessible for all. This inspired me to pursue my studies and do a Masters’s in Sustainable Urban Planning back in Switzerland.
After working for the Urban Planning department of Zurich and having one foot in a small firm specialized in sound and urban planning, I moved to Reykjavík where I now live with my family. I now realize that walkability was always in the background of everything I did and I now want to motivate residents in Reykajvík to leave their cars behind and start walking.
WHERE
I live in Reykjavík Iceland and will represent Reykjavík as a Correspondent. Originally, I am from Switzerland and lived in the cities of Geneva and Zurich as well as lived for 9 yrs in the UK, in Edinburgh and London. I bring these perspectives and experiences to my reflections about walkability in Reykjavík.
Reykjavík is the most northerly capital in the world which means that weather conditions had and have a big impact on how the city was built and how people use it. An important issue for a truly walkable city is the still huge reliance on cars for most of the population. The city grew greatly after the Second World War and most of the current structure is from the 1960s when the car was king. This means extensive road networks, urban sprawl with services spread out and far from residential developments but also generous streets and pavements and green spaces between residential buildings. The main issue though lies with the weather and therefore the convenience the use of the car brings with it.
My heart lies in making this world more sustainable and walkability is finally the field where I can bring together all the experience I gathered over the years.
WHY WALKABILITY
Walkability brings together so many aspects which are primordial for creating sustainable urban structures and therefore should be a priority in all cities. Creating sustainable cities will benefit us all and is essential.
I am honored to be able to participate as a Global Walkability Correspondent in this network. This network is a great opportunity to share ideas and knowledge about walkability but also help each other to reach more people and advocate for a more walkable and sustainable world. I will share what issues Reykjavík is facing and some of the experiences I had in other European cities.
Visit Tamara’s Instagram account, Labbað í Reykjavík, devoted to walkability in Reykjavík, here.
Reykjavík, Iceland-based Tamara Kocan is a sustainability consultant based, specialized in urban planning and tourism. Her experience spans from creating inclusive environments to organizing urban sound walks for professionals and the public. She has never learned to drive and has used walking and public transport for the last 20 years wherever she lived. Tamara wants to motivate people in Iceland to get out of their cars and start walking and use public transport. Tamara feels that walkability is key to reconnecting people with the environment and creating a more sustainable and healthier life for all.
Read Reykjavík Correspondent Tamara’s content here
Learn more about the Global Walkability Correspondents Network here