Walkability & The Curb Cut Effect
How AARP Vermont is Working to Make Vermont More Walkable
By: Kelly Stoddard-Poor
Vermonters love to walk year-round. We walk in wind, rain, sleet, snow and sun -- with canes, walkers, trekking poles, pushing baby strollers and leading dogs. We walk to the store, to the bus stop, to a friend’s house, to an appointment, to stay active, to be socially connected. We walk because we know it is good not only for our bodies and minds, but the planet.
The problem is, not all Vermont communities are “walkable.” In fact, there are many communities in our beloved state that are essentially unwalkable, due to a lack of sidewalks or poor sidewalk conditions, or in the more rural areas, long distances between homes and amenities, and high-speeding cars.
Heck, even in Burlington, Vermont’s biggest city, not every residential neighborhood has sidewalks.
The curb-cut effect is when programs and the built environment are designed for vulnerable groups, such as people living with a disability, low-income residents, or people of color, so that the end product will ultimately benefit all members of the community. If we create livable, walkable communities that allow the individuals who have been left behind to participate fully in their communities, we all win. If we ignore the challenges that the built environment poses to many people that keep them from contributing to their communities, we will continue to experience a decline in economic prosperity, public health and quality of life. Walkability is about equity and creating fair, inclusive conditions for everyone in our communities to move around safely.
To amplify the importance of the curb-cut effect and the value it has on improving the quality of life for older adults, AARP Vermont has invested in building local change-makers by partnering with America Walks to launch the Vermont Walking College. We are working with America Walks to advance safe, equitable, accessible, and enjoyable places to walk around our state. The overall goal of the AARP VT Walking College curriculum is to build the capacity of local advocates to advance policy, systems, and environment change to create healthy, walkable communities throughout the state.
In March, AARP Vermont put out a call for applicants to complete a 6-month, distance learning fellowship program, taught by America Walks. Fifteen fellows and three mentors were selected from around the state, representing a range of ages, backgrounds and experiences, including community organizers, health and wellness experts, economic development and planning professionals. These fellows will complete a series of modules from May through September that cover leadership development, coalition-building, walkable community design, local public policy, and strategic planning. Each fellow is assigned to an experienced mentor who leads small-group discussions and provides individualized coaching with the goal of creating a Walking Action Plan for each fellows’ community.
The graduates of this program will be equipped with the tools and skills needed to make real change in their communities by executing their Walk Action Plan. We know from experience that change takes time, dedication, and an energized group of people working together at the local level to change perceptions and investment patterns.
Our communities will need to choose: will we support walkability investments that ensure accessibility and mobility for all community members, or will we continue to leave our most vulnerable populations behind?
More information is available at www.aarp.org/vt
