The Walkable City: Dimensions of Walking and Overlapping Walks of Life

This book explores everyday walking in contemporary urban life, focusing on pedestrian practices, infrastructures, and the social nature of walking. It examines how walking is socially and materially co-produced, exploring cultural and social inclusions and exclusions. It also considers transport planning and policy, pedestrian infrastructures, the politics of walking, and social interactions of urban pedestrians.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 178 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the intricate world of everyday walking in contemporary urban environments. It brings together a wealth of theoretical and empirical insights to unravel the concept of 'walkability' and explore how urban spaces can be designed, planned, and experienced. The book's central focus lies in the experiences of urban walkers, encompassing their physical sensations, emotional connections, and diverse research methodologies. It goes beyond the traditional notion of walkable places by delving into the multifaceted ways in which urban spaces are consumed and produced through various forms of walking. Through extensive fieldwork in the UK and international secondary sources, the book examines how walking is socially and materially co-produced, emphasizing pedestrian practices, infrastructures, and the social dynamics of walking.

Chapters within the book offer insightful explorations of the cultural and social inclusions and exclusions associated with navigating the city on foot. It considers transport planning and policy that promote pedestrian movement, pedestrian infrastructures, the politics of walking, and the social interactions of urban pedestrians. The book provides vital analyses of how different dimensions of walking often go unnoticed and how their relationship with urban space needs to be better understood. By centering the lived experiences of walking, the book offers a fresh perspective on pedestrian practices, contributing significantly to the field of mobilities.

This book is particularly timely, given the growing interest in urban walking. It appeals to students and scholars of urban studies, human geography, sociology, and public health, offering valuable insights into the complexities of urban life and the role of walking in shaping our experiences and interactions with the city.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032055367