Urban environments shape individuals' transport choices
The concept of the 15-minute city, where all essential daily destinations are within a 15-minute walk or bike ride, is gaining traction in Germany. Cities like Frankfurt, Mannheim, and Munich are leading the way, performing exceptionally well in terms of this concept [1].
In the United States, cities such as New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia are seeing a significant number of residents meeting the recommendation of 150 minutes of walking per week. In New York City alone, almost a third of the population, 32.5 percent, meets this recommendation [2].
The study considers various factors that influence human mobility, including traffic speeds, the quality and affordability of alternative transportation modes, connectivity of the transport system, availability of mobility substitutes (e.g., delivery services), demographic factors, and urban spatial characteristics such as density and diversity [1][2][3].
Urban structure plays a crucial role in promoting walking. Dense urban development generally reduces traffic speeds and increases the proximity of destinations, making walking, cycling, and public transit usage more efficient and attractive. Conversely, design elements that prioritize automobile traffic can create barriers to walking and cycling [1][2].
The 5D framework—Density, Diversity, Design, Distance to transit, and Destination accessibility—helps explain the spatial factors affecting mobility. These elements jointly influence walkability and overall accessibility in urban environments [2].
New York City, with its high density, mixed land use, extensive transit network, and pedestrian infrastructure, is typically identified as the most walkable city in the US [3].
Researchers have analysed app-based movement data from people in US cities and found that the structure of a city directly influences the number of steps its residents take. This suggests that changes in the built environment can affect large populations, compared to interventions that target individuals and only reach small groups [3].
The findings of this research can be used to support arguments for improving pedestrian friendliness in urban planning. Stefan Siedentop from the Technical University of Dortmund, who was not involved in the study, emphasizes the importance of improving walking options in spatial and urban planning. He notes that in German cities, walking depends on where one lives and the quality of the pedestrian infrastructure [4].
In Germany, people in metropolises cover about 31% of their journeys on foot, while in small towns and villages it is only 21%. The city of Darmstadt is a location for a city of the future project focused on promoting local mobility [4].
Walking is particularly important for health, as many people worldwide move too little and thus increase their risks for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. The built environment significantly influences the number of daily steps people take [5].
The Lincoln settlement in Darmstadt is an example of a showcase project promoting local mobility. Many apps set 7000 steps as sufficient for health promotion, and moving from less walkable cities to New York City can result in an average of 1400 more steps per day [5].
The US team's research, published in the journal "Nature", indicates that an urban environment encourages people to be physically active [3]. This research provides a strong argumentation basis for planners and can contribute to the desired mobility transition.
