The Walkable 101 Video Series
The WALC Institute was commissioned in 2011 by the Martin County [Florida] Community Redevelopment Agency to produce three educational videos to explain the concepts and benefits of walkability, and to describe two successful tools for improving community health, well-being, and economic vitality through walkability. Those videos have become the first videos in the WALC Institute’s ”Walkable 101″ series and can be viewed below and at the Martin County CRA Vimeo page.
Walkable 101: The Basics
What is walkability and why is it important to create walkable streets and livable towns? Learn how your community can become better connected, more prosperous, more sustainable and healthier through streets that support active living.
Walkable 101: Road Diets
Many roads across the country are over-built for cars, and under-built for people. Where roads are too wide, cars tend to go too fast, people on foot and bike don’t feel safe and the sense of community is lost. If done well, a road “diet” can calm traffic while keeping it moving smoothly, and also restore walkability and spur economic development in a community. Learn more in this video.
Walkable 101: Head-Out Angled Parking
Head-out angled parking is arguably the safest form of on-street parking. In addition to providing an important buffer pedestrians and passing cars, it also allows a driver to face traffic when pulling out of the parking spot, instead of backing into traffic. This video describes some of the other benefits of head-out angled parking, including the economic benefits. Although head-out angled parking is used successfully across the country, it is new to many communities.
In addition to the Walkable 101 video series, the videos below may help provide more information and inspiration.
A StreetFilms Short Film on Road Diets
In its series “Moving Beyond the Automobile,” StreetFilms explores what a road diet is, and how communities do them well. WALC Institute Executive Director Dan Burden and other experts from throughout the country explain where road diets make sense and how they benefit communities.
A TEDx Phoenix Salon Presentation on ”Aging – or, Living – In Place” Through Walkability
WALC Institute Executive Director Dan Burden describes during TEDx Phoenix Salon in 2012 how walkability affects our ability to stay in our homes as we age and how we can retain health and transportation independence with streets designed for all people.
A TEDx Manhattan Beach Presentation on Creating Livable Communities
WALC Institute Executive Director Dan Burden makes the case at TEDx Manhattan Beach in 2011 for creating communities that are centered on people and not just cars. He identifies the benefits to the community in terms of both vitality and economic well-being.
Active in Action: New Principles for a Sustainable World
This 90-minute presentation by WALC Institute Executive Director Dan Burden in April 2010 at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, B.C. explains how walkability, sustainability and healthy communities go together. This production was made possible by the Simon Fraser University City Program, with added help from the Bombardier Foundation and the British Columbia Parks and Recreation Association.