Abstract

Part of the The Urban Book Series book series (UBS)

Abstract

Walkability is defined by the extent to which the built environment supports and sustains walking by providing pedestrian comfort, connectivity, and convenience. This chapter considers the steps taken in Johannesburg to develop pedestrian-friendly policies and projects. It focuses on three examples of walkability projects—the Grayston Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge, the Milpark Pedestrian Bridge, and the Westbury Pedestrian Bridge and Park. These examples provide valuable insights into the South African understanding of non-motorized transport, as well as how these experiences can provide lessons for cities around the world. This chapter, therefore, bridges the lacuna between empirical accounts of walking in Africa and theoretically rich discussions of walkability. In so doing, it problematizes both the concept of walkability as a planning instrument used to promote inclusivity, livability, and sustainability in the African context. Such a critical reading of the intertwined and overlapping practices of policymaking provides insight into the future of urban development and spatial transformation in (South/ern) Africa as well as across the global south.

Keywords
Non-motorized transport (NMT),
Johannesburg,
South African cities,
Walkability,

Keywords