Perth Conference Conclusion

 

The success of the Perth Conference reaffirmed the demand for international conferences on walking.

  • While surveys and our own gut feelings and observations would suggest that we are walking less, we walk more than traditional travel statistics would have us believe
  • Walking is a critical part of virtually all journeys and deserves to be taken seriously and provided for
  • Given favorable conditions, walking can serve as a convenient, demand- responsive, equitable mode of transport for short journeys - even of as much as two and a half kilometers
  • Attractive pedestrian spaces are a critical component in urban regeneration or the 'urban renaissance'
  • Walking is a cheap, convenient and convivial means of health promotion
  • It is not easy to make cultural and behavioral changes in the face of institutional, corporate and public inertia, and blatant commercial self-interest. But with patience, determination and an emphasis on the positive benefits, building success out of success, progress can be made towards more safe, healthy, accessible, amenable, enjoyable, walkable, and indeed, livable environments.

The Perth Conference also provided an opportunity for some of the original Walk21 Steering Group members (the Pedestrians Association, the London Walking Forum and CAST) to review future planning for such gatherings. There was a need to ensure that the conferences were appropriately scheduled, that they were rotated fairly between continents and countries, and that the high quality standards met by the first two conferences were properly maintained. Accordingly, the Walk21 'brand' was strengthened by the addition of representatives of several internationally renowned groups engaged in walking research and practice, including America Walks; Socialdata; FEPA (Federation of European Pedestrian Associations); the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts; and the Pedestrian Council of Australia. The vision of the Walk21 group is to: support, encourage and inspire professionals to evolve the best policies and implement the best initiatives which create and promote environments where people choose to walk.

Papers