Overview
A recent survey shows that members of Gen Y are walking 37 percent more than a decade ago, biking 122 percent more and taking public transit 100 percent more. Still, the legacy of the car culture persists. Raised on the notion that driving equals freedom, too many of us just don't realize that a personally rewarding alternative even exists.Just over three years ago, author Kevin Klinkenberg moved to Savannah, Georgia, from Kansas City, Missouri. In large part, he chose his new home because he was seeking a truly walkable place to live. In Why I Walk, Kevin goes beyond the typical arguments against suburbia, showing how walking on a daily basis actively benefits:
- His finances
- His sense of personal freedom
- His social life
- His health
The majority of us still cling to the belief that a house in the suburbs, with good schools, low crime, and easy parking is the American Dream. By focusing directly on the real, measurable advantages of choosing to be a pedestrian, Why I Walk makes a convincing case for ending our love affair with the automobile. This highly readable, first-person narrative handily provides the answer to the pressing question, Why do I walk? Why? Because getting there is twice the fun.Kevin Klinkenberg is the principal designer at K2 Urban Design. For more than two decades he has been working to create sustainable, sociable environments and walkable communities in cooperation with developers, cities, nonprofits, and public agencies.
Full Product Details
Author: Kevin Klinkenberg
Publisher: New Society Publishers
Imprint: New Society Publishers
ISBN: 9781322486444
ISBN 10: 1322486441
Publication Date: 17 December 2014
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Electronic book text
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Available To Order
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Reviews
Review, Better Cities and Towns Robert Steuteville, Sept. 2014. Klinkenberg explains in clear language the aspects of the built environment that make it walkable, bikable, and conducive to transit. On the rare cases where jargon is unavoidable, it is explained in a jargon alert. It's a little like a Dummies book without the annoying graphics. Some of the best aspects of this book are the personal stories of the advantages of a walking and bicycling lifestyle. Kevin Klinkenberg, one of the most productive urban thinkers around, points us toward development that adds economic value, build community and improves environmental performance. --John Norquist, President and CEO of the Congress for the New Urbanism This is one of those books that make you smarter. Not book smart but street smart, which is appropriate since Kevin is writing about walking and biking city streets instead of driving them. While he talks about his own life and experiences, he gives you areas to examine in your own life. He has figured out a few things, but he's not preachy about it. The book is organized into 4 areas that are relatable to all of us and where most of us could create some thoughtful improvements. Don't just take Kevin's word for it--check out thevoices of other people he's included who are living and walking in very different cities (Denver to Miami, D.C. to Durham, and L.A. to Brooklyn).In whatever way you define quality of life, this book will inspire you to consider your daily routines and rituals and take simple, meaningful steps (pun intended) to refresh and enrich your life. --Dawn Taylor, Executive Director, American Institute of Architects Kansas City Why I Walk provides an insightful look into the implications of walkability upon the daily life. Kevin explores how his choice of walking impacts overall health, psyche and ultimately the pocketbook. More importantly, Why I Walk provides fundamental and real-world ramifications as to the implications of a walkable lifestyle. Kevin's thoughtful and personal commentary certainly has made me rethink my day-to-day transportation choices. --Jim Potter, partner, Development Initiatives, Kansas City MO While it paints a less-than-flattering picture of our present culture that this book needed to be written, we're all very fortunate that it was. If you're looking for common-sense, benefit-rich reasons to get walking (or biking), you'll find them here. And your life will be better for it. --Scott Doyon, Principal, PlaceMakers LLC Using his day-to-day life in Savannah as a backdrop, Kevin Klinkenberg provides compelling reasons for spending more time on our own feet and for getting to know our neighborhoods better. In plain language that seamlessly combines practical experience and contemporary urban theory, Why I Walk details the physical, social, financial, emotional, and even professional reasons for walking whenever and wherever we can. For some readers, Klinkenberg's bookmight help confirm the sense that America's car culture is the source of many of our social and economic ills; for others, Why I Walk might simply be the last bit of inspiration needed to open the front door and step outside.--Bill Dawers, editor of Savannah Unplugged and longtime City Talk columnist for the Savannah Morning News
Author Information
Kevin Klinkenberg is the Principal Designer at K2 Urban Design. For more than two decades he has been working to create sustainable, sociable environments and walkable communities in cooperation with developers, cities, nonprofits and public agencies. A huge fan of the sharing economy, Kevin recently established the car sharing company, Share Savannah, to help his neighbors realize their goals of living car-free or car-light. He believes that the 21st century is a time to reclaim our lost traditions, connect better with each other and use our advanced technologies in ways that are much more human.
