Do you like walking? No, seriously. Do you REALLY like walking? On September 8th, The Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides is holding the 3rd annual "Great 12-Hour Tour of Philadelphia." That's right, twelve hours. This tour will take you on a trip through Philadelphia history, beginning at the National Constitution Center at 8:00 a.m. and winding … Continue reading Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides to host “Great 12-Hour Tour”
Article: “Somehow We’re Walking More and Walking Less At the Same Time”
A recent CDC report states that a greater percentage of Americans walked for more than ten minutes straight over the course of a week in 2010 than in 2005. However, the length of time people spend walking has dropped from an average 15 minutes per day to just 13 minutes a day. Is this good … Continue reading Article: “Somehow We’re Walking More and Walking Less At the Same Time”
Improving walkability through “placemaking”
One of the keys to walkability is that an area looks and feels like a good place to walk. There are many features that are typical of such places, in particular, cleanliness, well-maintained properties, the presence of other pedestrians, and low crime. To improve the perception of a place to pedestrians, certain small changes can … Continue reading Improving walkability through “placemaking”
Article: Walkability is important to home buyers
It's no secret that people like walkable neighborhoods. There are a number of recent surveys, articles, and research studies that contribute to the growing body of evidence for this preference. As reported in this Good Magazine article, a survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors found that factors that contribute to walkability have become … Continue reading Article: Walkability is important to home buyers
Did you know? Philly Streets Dept. publishes a weekly schedule of streets being repaved!
The wheels of cars, buses, and trucks can easily roll over the uneven pavement on streets that are being repaved. Pedestrians, however, do not have it quite as easy when crossing these streets. Roadways that are being repaved can be hazardous for a number of reasons. Manhole covers often protrude above the street, which can … Continue reading Did you know? Philly Streets Dept. publishes a weekly schedule of streets being repaved!
Benjamin Franklin Parkway in the news
The Benjamin Franklin Parkway has been gathering a lot of well-deserved attention recently. The opening of the new Barnes Foundation has added one more gem to the Parkway’s famous array of cultural institutions, which includes the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Franklin Institute, and the main branch of the city’s Free Library. The parkway is … Continue reading Benjamin Franklin Parkway in the news
Article: “Distracted walking a growing phone-related danger”
Texting and walking is no laughing matter! Last year, 1,152 people were admitted into hospital emergency rooms for "injuries suffered while walking and using a cellphone or some other electronic device." Phones, iPods, and other electronic devices take your attention away from your surroundings, making it easier to become a victim of a distracted walking … Continue reading Article: “Distracted walking a growing phone-related danger”
“Walk Appeal” affects how pedestrians interact with the built environment
The built environment has a huge influence on walkability. You probably have an idea of what features of a street make it more or less walkable, but have you given it much thought? There are a number of different frameworks that have been developed to guide the way we think about this. Some, such as … Continue reading “Walk Appeal” affects how pedestrians interact with the built environment
Pedestrian Safety and the Law
There are many laws in place that are meant to protect pedestrians. In New Jersey, drivers must come to a complete stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk. In PA, cars have to yield to pedestrians at intersections without a traffic signal, whether or not the crosswalk is marked. Philadelphia law specifically states that vehicles may … Continue reading Pedestrian Safety and the Law
A sweltering summer in Philadelphia: Tips for keeping cool and walking in the heat
According to the National Weather Service, excessive heat is the deadliest type of weather in the United States. Each year, it kills more people than hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and lightning combined. The elderly, infants, and those with physical and mental ailments are at especially high risk for the consequences of overexposure to heat. Taking precautionary … Continue reading A sweltering summer in Philadelphia: Tips for keeping cool and walking in the heat
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