Walkable City by Jeff Speck

The Embedded Church Podcast

Why is walking so important for our health, wealth, and the environment? Are there particular conditions in a city that encourage (or discourage) people to walk? Does promoting walkability mean we get rid of all the cars?

In this episode, Sara Joy interviews Eric about why he likes the book Walkable City by Jeff Speck so much. And, on a personal note, we learn what are Eric's favorite aspects of walking the neighborhood where his church is located are and how he sees walking as an important component that defines Jesus' ministry while on earth.

Through our discussion, we hash out Speck's research that shows there are a myriad of health, economic, and sustainability benefits associated with walking. And, we consider the four conditions, or characteristics, of walkability that he believes need to be present in order to encourage people to walk. Walks need to be useful, safe, comfortable, and interesting.

Speck further unpacks each one of these conditions with 10 distinct steps of walkability. We dig into several of these steps for our listeners. In particular, we spend some time discussing step one - putting cars in their place - and what that actually means. Not getting rid of cars, but simply prioritizing people over cars while valuing space for both (in their right places!). We also talk about the important step of mixing the uses and how Speck's focus on housing is a unique and interesting perspective for understanding why mixed-use development in our cities is so critical. We highlight the value of narrow streets, enclosed space, thresholds, and trees for making good, walkable places as well. In short, we show that good walkability has many layers even though it is such a basic act.

Access more Show Notes with pictures and resources related to this episode.

More information about this podcast and helpful church and urbanism resources can be found on The Embedded Church website.

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Related Resources

Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time by Jeff Speck

The Walkable City: TED Talk by Jeff Speck

What’s a STROAD, and why does it matter? Strong Towns

Walkscore an online tool for scoring your neighborhood in terms of walkability, which takes into factors such as proximity of goods and services and access to transit.

Peripateo a Greek word used often in the Bible (93 instances in the NT) both for literal walking and for living in general “I urge you to live (walk) a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians 4:1

Genesis 3:8-9 “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’”

Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Luke 10:33-34 “But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.”

Mark 5:27-29 “When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, ‘If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.’ Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.”

Find these Key Terms on The Embedded Church website:

- Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

- Enclosure

- Inclusionary Zoning

- Induced Demand

- Missing Tooth Concept

- Mixed Use Development

- Walkability

Show Credits

Hosted and Produced by Eric O. Jacobsen and Sara Joy Proppe

Edited by Adam Higgins | Odd Dad Out Voice Productions

Theme Music by Jacob Shaffer

Artwork by Lance Kagey | Rotator Creative