Fresh Academic Perspectives on Walking

Exploring the Pedestrians Realm: An overview of insights needed for developing a generative system approach to walkability
by Rob Methorst

Rob Methorst will be known to many as a long term researcher into walking issues, who has dedicated a lifetime to exploring and understanding the needs of people walking.  In this, his latest book, he outlines how there is ample room for improvement of pedestrian walking and sojourning conditions.

He explores how the system for pedestrians works and what steps authorities can take to improve their conditions with an effective and fair approach that embodies five issues: one size does not fit all; current paradigms hinder improvements; pedestrians need more visibility; knowledge is not where it is needed most and governance models need to be realigned. 
He captures the necessary broad systems approach and the technical design details needed to make the walking envrionment work for everybody, whatever their ability.  It is the most comprehensvie, inclusive refrence document currently available.
This encyclopedia provides a solid reference for anyboy wishing to embarque on a journey of doing more for people walking.

The Pedestrian Battle of Los Angeles: How to Empower Communities to Plan and Implement Pedestrian Road Safety Infrastructure
by Jorge Cáñez

Another superhero for people walking, but without his cape, Jorge Cáñez, investigates the political “battle” along the path to achieving pedestrian safety in Los Angeles. The study investigates the socio-demographic profiles of pedestrian victims of traffic violence at the neighborhood level, and the political obstacles that prevent the redesign of the streets from the car-oriented status quo to a people-oriented built environment.