UN Habitat

UN-Habitat provides knowledge, advocacy, and technical assistance to support national governments and local authorities in the development and implementation of sustainable urban mobility plans and investment strategies.

UN-Habitat has produced a Public Space Toolkit to actively promote public space as an important component for prosperity in cities. Their five principles of sustainable urban development to create liveable and efficient neighbourhoods are: Adequate space for streets and an efficient street network; High density; Mixed land-use; Social mix; and Limited land-use specialization. Promoting walkability is a cross cutting theme across the principles to bring people into the public space, reduce congestion and boost the local economy and interactions.

Walkability helps to reduce automobile reliance and thus alleviate relevant congestion, air pollution and resource depletion issues. Pedestrians add an incredible amount of vibrancy to city life.