How Citizens Can Create Walkable Suburbs: An Examination of Local Policy Advocacy and Individual Initiatives

• In Event: Sustainability Transformations: Walkable Suburbs, Environmental Justice Advocacy, Ecovillage Adaptations, Grass Lawns, and Fashion

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the different methods citizens can get involved in making their suburb more walkable. It addresses media, such as academic papers and documentaries, which educate people on an issue but say little to nothing about what the audience can do. The intended audience for this paper is already knowledgeable about the benefits of walkable communities and want to make their own suburban community walkable, yet do not know where to get started. The incentive for a citizen to make their suburb more walkable is because of the wealth of benefits associated with them that directly impact the citizen.
The paper is broken into three parts. The first is background information regarding the implementation, the effects on walkability, and the measures needed to create protected bike lanes, mixed-use-zoning, and smaller parking lots. The second is the policy change required to target these three measures and other aspects of a walkable city, and what a citizen can do to facilitate that change. Policy change for the three aspects is well within a municipality’s jurisdiction, and it is the only way to ensure long-term change. The third discusses tactical urbanism, an option for citizens living in municipalities not willing to change. Tactical urbanism is more short-term but can be done on an individual level. It also can impact policy as tactical urbanism often has implicit or explicit advocacy effects. This paper collects from a variety of literature detailing the efficacy of specific tactics within policy advocacy and tactical urbanism, providing a composite summary of what citizens can do. Some of these tactics include attending town council meetings, contacting local representatives, crosswalk painting, and guerilla gardening.
The paper finds not that one specific tactic is better than others, but rather that many different tactics should be used in conjunction. Moreover, every town is different with its unique policies, so there is no single best way to advocate. There are, however, better ways to take certain action, such as using arguments based on anecdotes, or interacting with elected officials on social media.
This reveals that citizens can in fact be instrumental in making their local community more walkable, which is contrary to public opinion. Vast amounts of political or economic capital are not necessary to be a catalyst for change. This is significant because it means a citizen has reasonable power in improving their community and consequently their life. The improvements associated with a walkable community are covered in the conclusion of the paper. These include affordability, public health, environmental benefits, and economic productivity. Any citizen who wishes to experience these enhancements of their personal, daily life can use this paper as a framework for change.

Author

• Subhronil Mukherjee, New Jersey Scholars Program