Cities Reclaiming Urban Space for Pedestrians

Cities around the world are reclaiming urban space from cars and redistributing it to pedestrians. This is a welcome move that will help create more vibrant, walkable cities and improve public health. The trend of taking back urban space from cars began in Bogota, Colombia in the 1970s when Mayor Jaime Lerner implemented car-free days. Since then, cities have been increasingly recognizing the importance of creating safe spaces for pedestrians. In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced a plan to reduce traffic fatalities by half over the next decade. Part of this plan includes reclaiming urban space from cars and dedicating it to pedestrians. In London, Mayor Sadiq Khan has taken an even bolder approach with his “Healthy Streets” initiative. The goal of this program is to make walking and cycling easier and safer by reducing traffic speeds and reclaiming urban space from cars for pedestrians. The city has already seen success with its first pedestrianized street in Oxford Circus, which has become one of London’s most popular destinations for shoppers and tourists alike. These initiatives are not only beneficial for public health but also for local businesses as well. Studies have shown that pedestrianizing streets can lead to increased foot traffic and sales at nearby stores as people are more likely to linger in areas where they feel safe walking around without worrying about cars or other vehicles getting too close or passing too quickly. Reclaiming urban space from cars is just one step towards creating healthier cities but it is an important one nonetheless. It sends a strong message that cities value their citizens’ safety above all else while also encouraging people to get out into their communities and explore what they have to offer on foot instead of relying on motorized transportation all the time. As more cities take steps towards reclaiming their streets from cars, we can look forward to a future where our cities are healthier, safer places to live in than ever before!