How do cities become great places to walk? What moves people to ditch their cars and use their own feet? According to Jeff Speck, the key is that the walk itself has to be as good as a drive. Jeff wrote the book on walkability—literally. Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America One Step at a Time is the best-selling city-planning title of the 21st century and a classic on making cities pedestrian-friendly.

Jeff’s “General Theory of Walkability” spells out exactly what it takes: walking needs to be useful, safe, comfortable, and interesting—all at once. He’s transformed communities across America, proving that towns and cities everywhere can rewrite the rules and reshape their streets.

Creating walkable communities is essential for cutting carbon emissions and sustaining economic vitality. A 2023 Smart Growth America report reveals that merely 1.2% of land in the top 35 U.S. metros is walkable, yet these urban neighborhoods contribute 20% of the nation’s GDP.

On today’s show, Jeff breaks down what makes a place truly walkable, the maddening obstacles standing in the way, and how to clear the path—one thoughtful step at a time.

“If you organize your city around cars, you end up with a car city. If you organize your city around people and places, you have a people and places city. It’s a choice we make as we design cities.” — Jeff Speck

Show Notes

Guest: Jeff Speck, FAICP, CNU-A, LEED-AP, Honorary ASLA; Partner, Speck Dempsey

Organization: Speck Dempsey

Book: Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time

TED Talk: The Walkable City

Report: Foot Traffic Ahead by Smart Growth America

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