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Societal Benefits of Walking

  • Walking is the most socially inclusive mode of transport; it’s free and requires no special equipment.

  • Walking promotes social interaction, which in turn can enhance a sense of community and help reduce social isolation.

  • More people walking can help to regenerate urban areas in many ways. Urban regeneration projects work closely with local communities to ensure that they have a say in the physical and social redevelopment of their local community environment.

  • By reclaiming the streets people can become aware of what they need in order to make their environment safer, more accessible, more attractive, more inclusive and to ensure that any change is sustained.

  • More people walking can help to reduce crime and the fear of crime, additional support activities such as visible community street wardens also helps.

  • Walking is important to local community activities and the economy. Promoting walking to local shops, schools, places of worship and health centres engages the community in everyday activity within their everyday environment and can play its part in reducing car journeys.

  • Many existing partnerships and organisations are already promoting walking and other activities designed to improve urban areas and social capital. This offers people a route of progression should they want to become more involved in community activities.

 

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