Why councils' should look after footpaths and the public realm

Enrique Penalosa is a former mayor of Bogota in Columbia

The few points captured here make compelling arguments for local government attention to the public realm. It's not about a transport system, it's not about engineering, it is about people and politics.

It's about what kind of city we want? How do we want to live? What makes a good city? 

A city that is good for the vulnerable old, young and disadvantaged. Convergence of environmental and social sustainability.

• Transport is a means to an end whereas pedestrianisation can be an end in itself.
• In the public realm, we meet as equals. It is democratic. The public realm is about social justice.
• People will never remember a road, but they will never forget a good pedestrian space.
• Transport is one problem that gets worse with affluence.
• Traffic congestion is not bad because it means you are ripe for public transport.
• Densify shopping living work
• Make pedestrian spaces the top issue
• perhaps do density neighbourhood by neighbourhood.
• (Any fuel is going to get more expensive.)

for more go to http://www.pps.org/info/placemakingtools/placemakers/epenalosa