St. John’s is the capital and largest city of Newfoundland and Labrador, a province in eastern Canada. It is known for its colourful houses, historic landmarks, and scenic harbour. But is it walkable?
Walkability is a measure of how friendly an area is to walking. It can be influenced by factors such as the availability of sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, public transit, parks, shops, and services. Walkability can have many benefits for people’s health, environment, and economy.
St. John’s, unfortunately, is not a very walkable city. According to Walk Score, a website that assesses the walkability of cities worldwide, St. John’s has an average score of only 37 out of 100. This low score indicates that most errands and daily activities require a car, making it a car-dependent city. In fact, some parts of St. John’s, such as Jacaranda Place, have even lower scores, with a dismal score of only 12.
Why is walkability so bad in St. John’s?
- The city has a poor public transit system, which means people have to rely more on cars to get around.
- The city has a lack of infrastructure and amenities for pedestrians, such as sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, benches, lighting, and signage.
- The city is built on hilly terrain, which makes walking more challenging and tiring for some people.
- St. John’s has a cold and windy climate, which can discourage people from walking outside, especially in the winter months.
- The city has a low population density, which means there are fewer destinations within walking distance for residents.
These factors make walking in St. John’s less safe, comfortable, convenient, and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike.
What is the city doing to improve walkability in St. John’s?
Some initiatives have been taken or proposed by the city and other stakeholders to make St. John’s more walkable:
- The city has converted a downtown stretch of Water Street into a pedestrian mall for the summer, which allows people to walk freely and enjoy the local businesses and attractions without traffic interference.
- The city has a walking trail network thanks to the Grand Concourse Authority, which provides scenic routes for walkers and cyclists along the coast and through the parks.
- The city has partnered with Memorial University researchers to study the potential health and economic benefits of walking in St. John’s. The research suggests that if $3 million were invested annually by the city to encourage walking, the benefit would be more than $10 million over 10 years.
- The city has adopted a new Municipal Plan and Development Regulations, which aim to promote more compact and mixed-use development, enhance public transit and active transportation options, and create more vibrant and livable neighbourhoods.
While these initiatives represent positive progress, they alone are insufficient in creating a truly walkable city in St. John’s. Further action is necessary to ensure that residents can comfortably and safely navigate the city on foot.
What more can be done to make St. Johns more walkable?
The city could:
- Enhance pedestrian safety by implementing effective traffic calming measures, including speed bumps, roundabouts, curb extensions, and raised crosswalks to reduce the speed of vehicles.
- Develop and upgrade the sidewalk infrastructure, especially in areas with gaps or inadequate conditions to ensure pedestrians have a safe and comfortable walkway.
- Promote cycling as a viable transportation alternative by adding more bike lanes and bike racks.
- Improve public transit accessibility and availability, especially during peak hours and weekends to encourage more individuals to use public transportation.
- Create more people-oriented public spaces and amenities, such as plazas, parklets, art installations, fountains, and street furniture to encourage pedestrian activity.
- Boost the number of local businesses and services within walking distance of residential areas to reduce the need for driving.
- Raise public awareness of the benefits of walking and how to do it safely and comfortably through education and engagement initiatives.
Why is Walkability so important?
One of the main benefits of walkability is its positive impact on public health. People who live in walkable neighborhoods tend to be more physically active, which can lower the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Walking also promotes mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, walkable cities are safer for pedestrians as they have lower rates of traffic accidents and fatalities.
In addition to health benefits, walkable cities can also boost local economies. When people can easily walk to shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, they are more likely to patronize local businesses. This creates a vibrant street life and encourages small business growth. Walkable neighborhoods also tend to have higher property values, which benefits homeowners and local governments.
One example of a highly walkable city is Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. Amsterdam is famous for its extensive network of bike paths and pedestrian-only streets, which make it easy and safe for people to walk or cycle around the city. Amsterdam’s compact size, dense urban fabric, and mixed-use development patterns also contribute to its walkability. The city has a strong public transportation system, but walking and cycling are often the preferred modes of transportation for locals and visitors alike.
To sum it up, walkability is a critical component of a thriving city. It promotes physical and mental health, economic growth, and social interaction while reducing traffic congestion and pollution. As cities like Amsterdam continue to lead the way in walkability, others, like St. John’s, are taking steps to catch up. By investing in pedestrian infrastructure, promoting active transportation, and creating vibrant, mixed-use neighborhoods, cities can create a more livable, sustainable, and equitable future for their residents.
