Walkable Streets

How prioritising walking makes streets safer for everyone.

What’s it about?

Walkable neighbourhoods are communities designed to prioritise walking and active transport. This is best achieved by providing access to essential services and amenities within a short walking distance.

Central to this concept is the "20-minute neighbourhood" [1], or 15 minute neighbourhood where residents can meet most of their daily needs—such as shopping, education, healthcare, and recreation—within a 20-minute walk or bike ride. These neighbourhoods often also promote walking and active transport through traffic calming, wider footpaths and bike lanes.

Because residents can fulfill most of their daily needs on foot, 20-minute neighborhoods can reduce car dependency and foster a stronger sense of community. They also enable the decentralisation of cities assisting with the development of low-carbon communities.

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Benefits

How walkable neighbourhoods create safer streets for all.

Improved Street Safety

Walkable neighbourhoods reduce car dependency, leading to fewer vehicle-related accidents. Lower traffic volumes and slower speeds make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists [2].

Environmental Benefits

By reducing car trips, walkable neighbourhoods contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to cleaner air and more sustainable cities.

Healthier Communities

Encouraging active transport through walking and cycling helps reduce obesity, heart disease, and other lifestyle-related health issues. Studies show that residents in walkable neighbourhoods are more likely to meet physical activity guidelines [3].

Social Connectivity

Walkable neighbourhoods foster community interactions and a sense of belonging, as there are more people out and about walking, making streets feel safer and more welcoming for residents of all ages [2].

Stronger Local Economies

Walkable areas with vibrant streetscapes attract foot traffic, boosting local businesses. Areas with high walkability often see increased property values and economic activity [4].

Walkable Neighbourhood Examples

Strathmore, Melbourne

Strathmore is an established suburb located approximately 9 km from Melbourne’s CBD. Strathmore improved its walkability and 20 minute neighbourhood characteristics through community partnerships, technical assessments (including walkability, land use, housing density and vegetation cover) [5].

Key Features:

Improved pedestrian crossings and traffic calming measures, including linkages to the railway station.
Community-led public space improvements, murals and creative projects.
Street parties and events to engage the local community.
Adoption of 20 minute neighbourhood policy elements in the Moonee Valley City Council vision and approach to neighbourhood planning.

Fitzroy, Melbourne

Fitzroy is a well-established 20-minute neighbourhood with strong connectivity, supporting walking, cycling, and public transport.

Key Features:

High Walk Score due to mixed-use developments [6].
Extensive cycling infrastructure and pedestrian-friendly streets.
Vibrant local economy with shops, cafes, and cultural institutions within walking distance.

Bowden, Adelaide

Bowden is a 16.3 ha former factory site located just 2.5km from the Adelaide CBD that has been redeveloped into a vibrant walkable community. Its redevelopment includes shared streets, interconnected pathways and green spaces with access to amenities in close proximity [7].

Key Features: