With cities growing with no stop and climate change having an ever-growing impact, sustainable living ceased to be a fad but an imperative need. Calgary sees more neighborhoods grown for easy walking to give a green, healthy, and much-sought way of life. Walkable communities decrease vehicle dependence, foster eco-friendly habits, and promote a cleaner, more livable environment.
But how do these walkable communities help residents reduce their carbon footprint? Let’s talk about how most walkable communities in Calgary facilitate living sustainably.
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Less Driving, Lower Emissions
Walking communities in Calgary are designed to be close to shops, restaurants, parks, and even workplaces, all within walking distance of homes, thus ensuring that one can quickly leave their cars parked. Reduced daily driving means fewer emissions the residents contribute, directly reducing their carbon footprint. This also ensures less congestion and fuel consumption, making walkable communities critical players in combating urban air pollution.
Supporting Public Transit Use
Many of Calgary’s walkable communities are proximally connected to public transit systems, such as the C-Train and busing. People living near major transit hubs are likelier to use the public transportation system than their cars. By its very nature, public transportation produces far fewer greenhouse gases per person than individual car trips do.
Encouraging Sustainable Transportation
In addition to walking and using public transportation, walkable communities support alternative forms of active transportation, such as cycling. Calgary has been working on its cycling network, implementing on-road bike lanes and multi-use paths throughout the city, especially within walkable neighbourhoods.
Smarter Land Use and Less Urban Sprawl
Perhaps another fundamental reason is that walkable communities combat urban sprawl- a grave environmental problem faced by many cities experiencing remarkable growth. Sprawl means the loss of natural habitats, consumption of more energy, and higher infrastructure costs. Walkable communities are those built with efficiency in land use in mind. They are conceptualized to favor mixed-use development, combining residential, commercial, and recreational areas into smaller areas.
Green Spaces: Energy-Efficient Buildings
Many of the communities in Calgary are walkable and designed to be sustainable with energy efficiency in buildings and infrastructure. From green rooftops to solar-powered streetlights, these communities are often filled with design elements meant to utilize less energy and, thus, lower emissions.
Fostering a Culture of Sustainability
Beyond the physical benefits of walkable communities, there is socially a culture shift when residents live in areas designed with sustainability in mind. Often, walkable communities foster an environmental sense of responsibility. As walking or biking becomes part of daily life, there is increased consciousness of one’s environmental impact. It could even push out into other areas of their lives, such as supporting local businesses, reducing waste, and engaging in eco-friendly hobbies like composting, reusing, and recycling items.
As Calgary grows, walkable communities have been a practical way to cut carbon emissions and make life more sustainable. Such neighbourhoods- encouraging walking, cycling, and public transportation- allow residents to reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining a healthier, more connected lifestyle. By incorporating green spaces, energy-efficient designs, and land use into their designs, walkable communities set the bar incredibly high concerning sustainable urban living.
If you want to make your lives a little greener and more fulfilling, along with a concerted effort to reduce environmental impact, perhaps it is time to move toward one of Calgary’s walkable communities.
