When I first moved to Austin from Louisiana, I was amazed by how accessible several locations were by foot. Walkability seemed to be a goal, and it was more of an option than back home. However, my hometown significantly lowered my expectations, and after almost two years in Austin, I found myself wanting more. I still had to drive to the walkable locations and I was unfamiliar with public transportation Some roads, despite their designated crosswalks, felt intimidating as I stared down the expansive, traffic-filled gaps between sidewalks, and my only safety measures were a couple of lights. Most of what I was feeling was just that– feelings. I didn’t have the knowledge to articulate my concerns, and I couldn’t quite pinpoint the problems that needed to be addressed. This changed when my Introduction to Sustainability class attended an urban walking tour earlier this semester.

This tour brought us to the lively and populated South Congress Avenue and challenged us to assess if it was made for pedestrians or cars. Before the tour started, I was already excited by the idea that we were traveling by bus to the tour starting point. Just a few months before, I had experienced New York City’s subway system and hadn’t stopped dreaming of efficient public transportation since. The bus ride was better than I expected; safety was not an initial concern, and this was reaffirmed by the experience. It was quiet, and those who did talk were friendly. We arrived at our location on schedule and made it back to campus promptly. It has inspired me to utilize Austin’s bus system again as I explore the city over the summer.

The tour started in Home Slice Pizza’s parking lot which had been converted into a seating area. This decision not only limited parking, which then limits drivability, it also increased business. Pedestrians walking down South Congress will feel more welcome to a business front that has populated picnic benches than one with cars. As we walked up South Congress, we learned more about how businesses lining the sidewalk play an important role in walkability. South Congress is lined with unique, textured storefronts with vibrant personalities that lure you in from their large windows and open doors. These factors, known as fine-grained urbanism, soothe our evolutionary instincts by providing a sense of safety through the proximity of the wall and the visibility of windows. On one side of South Congress, opposite bustling storefronts, is a tall church with flat, plain walls that loom over the sidewalk. Lawns rest on either side of the portion that extends closest to the sidewalk. This is known as coarse-grained urbanism and can discourage walkability. The plain wall extends the perceived distance of the path and the empty lawns separate pedestrians from buildings, leaving them exposed in the open. Beyond that, it is not aesthetically pleasing. There is no personality to attract people towards it or confirm they are meant to be there. This building design can be seen throughout Austin and other major cities.

Of course, pedestrians won’t have to worry about the church wall if they never take the daunting hike across the wide road, or maybe this road will be what keeps them pinned to it. Wide roads like South Congress can be found throughout Austin and put large gaps between people on either side. This will prevent people on one side from feeling familiar or comfortable with the other, which then decreases sociability and subsequently walkability. This also puts a strain on sidewalks as they struggle against the road to reach desirable widths that give space for pedestrians to travel and socialize outside storefronts. Additionally, South Congress is a straight shot down to the Texas State Capitol building. Long, straight, and open roads like this often encourage speeding and are unfit for areas with high foot traffic. Curved roads with tree coverage decrease visibility, which enforces lower speeds, and provides more shade for pedestrians, which is essential for combatting Texas heat.

Ultimately, I am grateful to be in a city like Austin that does what it can. I see the desire and push for walkability and better public transportation. Many others like myself naturally populate more walkable areas, demonstrating to those in charge that it is what’s in demand. Rather than deterring me, the shortcomings in Austin’s walkability have motivated me to keep trying. The tour equipped me with the knowledge to be an advocate for a better, more sustainable Austin, and I hope to push for that change through both my direct and indirect actions.

 

Blog post by Luca Rende

Photo by visitsoco.com