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walkable cities mean sittable cities (slrpnk.net)

submitted 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 21 points 9 months ago (6 children)

From What is a Walkable city:

These spaces incorporate elements like seating areas, public art installations, water features, and greenery, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal and providing a respite from the built environment.

and

Ample green spaces, street trees, and seating areas provide comfortable resting spots and encourage people to enjoy their surroundings.

So... yes? Like I know it might be cathartic to someone driving-by (heh) the concept, but seating is very much in the design of walkable cities.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 9 months ago (5 children)

I think their point is that even in situations that able bodied people might consider to have "ample seating," it may not be enough for those with disabilities. 3 minutes of walking between benches, I'd say, would probably be considered pretty ample seating by most city planners. It would be no where near enough for my dad, or for my mom before she went full time in the wheelchair. One solution to this could be something along the lines of the little carts they have at Walmart, but like, owned by the city and able to be checked out for free, combined with some people with mobility issues actually getting a say in how the city is planned out, and where the ramps and stuff are for the sidewalks.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago (4 children)

No, we absolutely don't need to inundate every city with eight benches per block. (Two per side.)

There's a point at which you have to meet halfway, and if you can't walk for five minutes straight you should probably be in a walker or wheelchair.

In general I agree that cities need to be more walkable, and that includes seating. But the "some people can't walk three minutes" idea needs to go.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, totally unreasonable for people to have seating options. I mean the downsides are just so numerous...

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Mandates often have unforeseen consequences and always create some burden. It's important to consider them carefully, even if they sound good on the surface, and make sure they're worth the cost.

A quick social media comment that "there should be benches every three minutes" isn't well considered policy. What even is a three minute walk to someone not capable of walking for five?

The sentiment is in the right place. The words are not.

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