Overview

As cities grapple with climate change and social inequality, a growing movement recognizes walking as fundamental to urban sustainability. Creating Sustainable Cities Through Pedestrian Urbanism explores how communities worldwide are rethinking the relationship between mobility, place, and belonging. Drawing from diverse cities across North America, Europe, and Asia, this book examines the shift from car-dominated planning toward human-centered design. It traces how walkable environments support environmental goals while fostering social connection and cultural vitality, demonstrating that sustainable cities are also more equitable and livable cities. This book investigates varied examples: cultural programming in transit stations, night festivals and murals, pedestrian-friendly street transformations, adaptive public spaces, and community-led initiatives. It considers how everyday elements—café culture, green infrastructure, neighborhood events—contribute to places that are both environmentally responsible and socially cohesive. Written for urban practitioners, community advocates, and engaged citizens, this book offers insights rather than prescriptions, recognizing that each place requires its own approach to pedestrian urbanism. By examining what works and what doesn't across different contexts and scales, Creating Sustainable Cities Through Pedestrian Urbanism contributes to ongoing conversations about building cities that serve both people and planet. Sustainable urban futures, it suggests, may be closer than we walk.

Full Product Details

9781032483269

Table of Contents

Reviews

""Drawing on diverse global case studies, Creating Sustainable Cities Through Pedestrian Urbanism frames pedestrian urbanism as a comprehensive approach to urban sustainability that integrates environmental, social, and cultural objectives. It demonstrates how the simple act of walking can catalyze urban transformation, offering a pathway toward futures that are more vibrant, resilient, and livable."" Daniel Silver, Professor of Sociology, University of Toronto, Canada ""Streets are vital social infrastructure, a fact that gets lost in the American culture of car supremacy. Creating Sustainable Cities Through Pedestrian Urbanism reminds us of all the good that comes from socially-minded streets—and why we should work for it."" Emily Talen, Professor of Urbanism, University of Chicago, USA “This book integrates major issues like sustainability and diverse lifestyles to demonstrate how effective policies can revitalize neighborhoods by transforming streets into community trails through citizen engagement—tracked via cell phones—showing how elements like murals, cafes, parks, bike rentals, and public concerts reduce crime while connecting transit stations across successful neighborhoods in the US, Korea, and France, all presented with coherence and creativity. It makes waves. Look and learn here!” Terry Nichols Clark, Professor of Sociology, University of Chicago, USA

""Drawing on diverse global case studies, Creating Sustainable Cities Through Pedestrian Urbanism frames pedestrian urbanism as a comprehensive approach to urban sustainability that integrates environmental, social, and cultural objectives. It demonstrates how the simple act of walking can catalyze urban transformation, offering a pathway toward futures that are more vibrant, resilient, and livable."" Daniel Silver, Professor of Sociology, University of Toronto ""Streets are vital social infrastructure, a fact that gets lost in the American culture of car supremacy. Creating Sustainable Cities Through Pedestrian Urbanism reminds us of all the good that comes from socially-minded streets—and why we should work for it."" Emily Talen, Professor of Urbanism, University of Chicago “This book integrates major issues like sustainability and diverse lifestyles to demonstrate how effective policies can revitalize neighborhoods by transforming streets into community trails through citizen engagement—tracked via cell phones—showing how elements like murals, cafes, parks, bike rentals, and public concerts reduce crime while connecting transit stations across successful neighborhoods in the US, Korea, and France, all presented with coherence and creativity. It makes waves. Look and learn here!” Terry Nichols Clark, Professor of Sociology, University of Chicago

Author Information

Hyesun Jeong is an architect, urban designer, and researcher whose work explores the intersection of cultural placemaking, sustainable urbanism, and public space. She is Assistant Professor of Urban Design at the University of Cincinnati.

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