Cities around the world are changing streets, transit, and public spaces to make walking a more practical part of daily life.
1. Seoul, South Korea
Seoul has transformed former road infrastructure into pedestrian spaces.
The 1,074-metre Seoullo 7017 elevated walkway turned an old highway into a public garden, while the Cheonggyecheon corridor created a walkable route through central Seoul.
2. Paris, France
Paris has been steadily removing space previously dedicated to cars.
The city has added pedestrian areas, expanded cycling infrastructure, and redesigned major streets, making walking a more practical option for short trips across the capital.
3. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona’s superblocks are designed to reduce through-traffic on residential streets.
The model creates quieter areas where pedestrians gain more room for walking, public space, greenery, and local businesses.
4. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen has spent decades building streets around people rather than cars.
Pedestrian shopping streets, cycling infrastructure, and traffic-calming measures have helped make walking and cycling ordinary parts of daily transportation.
5. Vienna, Austria
Vienna has been expanding pedestrian zones and redesigning public spaces around transit and walking.
The city is also using traffic-calming projects to make residential streets more comfortable for people travelling without cars.
6. Houston, United States
Houston is an unlikely example because of its car-dependent reputation.
But downtown Houston completed a major transformation of Main Street, converting seven blocks into a pedestrian-focused promenade with wider sidewalks, greenery, plazas, and outdoor dining.