IN PRAISE OF THE HUMBLE SIDEWALK

THE SINGLE MOST CRITICAL PIECE OF INFRASTRUCTURE

Fabian De La Espriella, AICP, principal of Miami-based Urbe Studio, has nearly two decades of experience in transportation planning — and is a big fan of what sidewalks provide, particularly when it comes to equity.

"Sidewalks are the single most critical piece of infrastructure when it comes to reducing disparities between communities, especially those that are currently underserved, which coincidently are also suffering from disproportionate pedestrian death rates," says De La Espriella, vice chair of APA Florida's Gold Coast chapter.

"This equity approach applies to sidewalks being of vital importance for people with disabilities, no-car households, children, and the elderly. 

Sidewalks in some communities are key to getting access to transit, food, parks, or schools."

Every planning agency, local jurisdiction, and government official should prioritize safe sidewalks, he says.

"Having safe, healthy streets is part of increasing a city's competitiveness.

A key component to achieving this outcome is having safe sidewalks, which increase access and create a higher value place," he says. 

"It is time that we acknowledge the responsibility of transportation investments in increasing equity in our communities, especially when it comes to sidewalks."