In today's fast-paced modern life, we often forget that simple habits like walking can have a big impact, both on our health and the environment. Walking is not only an efficient transportation solution but also supports a healthy and environmentally friendly lifestyle. Here are some reasons why we should start walking more and how city planning can support this habit.

Benefits of Walking for the Body and the Environment

Walking is a light physical activity and can be done every day. Even though it looks simple, the benefits for health and the environment are enormous.

1. Improves Heart Health: Regular walking can help maintain heart health, improve blood circulation, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to research, walking for at least 30 minutes every day can reduce the risk of heart disease by 30%.
2. Maintaining an Ideal Weight: If done consistently, walking can help maintain body weight and prevent obesity. This activity is a natural and effective way to burn calories. Plus, walking has minimal impact on the joints, making it safe for people of all ages.
3. Improves Mental Health: Apart from physical health, walking has also been proven to improve mood and reduce stress. Walking in nature or a green environment can have a relaxing effect and increase happiness.

Why Should We Walk More?

Modern technology has made life more comfortable, but unfortunately, this comfort often means we move less. Here are some reasons why we should walk more:

• Transportation Alternatives: To avoid traffic jams, especially over short distances, walking can be a solution. By walking, we can save on travel costs while supporting a healthier environment.
• Strengthening Social Interactions and Understanding the Environment: Walking will give us time to meet other people, both in our neighborhood and in public places. This helps strengthen social interactions and build a sense of community with the surroundings. Apart from that, we may become aware of several new locations or places that would not be visible by vehicle.
• Reduces Disease Risk: A sedentary lifestyle is the main cause of various diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. By walking more, we can reduce the risk of these diseases and improve our overall health.

How does city planning support a walking lifestyle?

So that the walking lifestyle can be implemented more widely, the role of urban planning is very important. Modern cities should support pedestrians with friendly and safe infrastructure. Here are some urban planning elements that support a walking lifestyle:

• Safe and Comfortable Sidewalks: Supporting pedestrians means providing wide, flat, and clean sidewalks. This provides a sense of security for pedestrians, especially in dense urban environments.
• Refreshing Green Space: The existence of city parks or green open spaces around residential areas and city centers can be an attraction for people to walk more often. The shady environment makes walking more enjoyable.
• Access to Public Facilities: An ideal city plan must provide easy access for pedestrians to various public facilities, such as public transportation, shopping centers, schools, and workplaces. This makes walking an efficient alternative to daily activities.

Walking is a simple habit but provides many benefits for the health of the body and the environment. By walking more often, we can save on transportation costs, improve physical and mental health, and support environmental conservation efforts. Pedestrian-friendly cities also play an important role in supporting this lifestyle by providing safe and comfortable infrastructure. So, let's start taking more steps and enjoy the benefits for our health and the planet!