Pedestrian-Centric Cities: Analyzing and Designing Walkable Spaces

Walkability is at the heart of sustainable, vibrant, and healthy communities. Understanding how different global cities prioritize or neglect pedestrians is key to shaping the future of urban design. This course equips you with the foundational knowledge and analytical tools to research, compare, and write about walkable urban environments. What you will learn: Understand the core principles of pedestrian-centric urban planning and walkability metrics; Compare diverse global cities to analyze how infrastructure impacts pedestrian behavior and safety; Apply modern frameworks like Complete Streets and tactical urbanism to real-world urban challenges; Research and write compelling, evidence-based case studies on urban mobility and public spaces; Analyze the integration of active mobility and micro-mobility with public transit networks. The course begins with foundational concepts of urban space and walkability before moving into comparative research methodologies. You will then study real-world examples and practice drafting your own urban planning analyses through written exercises. This course is designed for beginners, aspiring urban planners, and community advocates with no prior experience in urban studies. Start exploring the design of walkable cities and learn to advocate for pedestrian-friendly urban futures.