walkability: can we do it in bermuda?

Anyone paying attention to trends in urban planning will know that making cities more walkable is a biggie. But, to be fair, referring to the 'walkable cities' movement as a trend is not accurate. Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zybeck have promoted and designed new towns around this concept for decades. 

Jeff Speck is working in this space too. He co-authored the book Suburban Nation:The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream (2000) with Duany and Plater-Zyberk and, with his most recent book, Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time (2013), he shifts the conversation from why walkability is a good idea to how we can achieve this. It is a great read. Dense with useful and, at times, funny, information, there is much for city planners to absorb and put into practice. 

It may be challenging to translate the techniques to Bermuda, as our living and driving patterns are somewhat different, but the message is clear: create a walkable city and you have building blocks for vibrancy, economic stimulation and better health. Can't find the time to read the book? No worries.Watch Speck's TED Talk instead.