Lviv has made its mark globally, ranking 27th in a prestigious study on pedestrian accessibility by Nature Cities. The research analyzed over 10,000 cities worldwide, measuring how long it takes residents to access essential urban facilities. Lviv stands out as the only Ukrainian city in the global top 50 list.
The study, led by Matteo Bruno from the Sony Computer Science Laboratory in Rome, focused on the average time it takes for people in urban areas to reach key infrastructures such as schools, hospitals, shops, restaurants, and other essential establishments.
The study’s global leader is Milan, where residents can walk to essential locations in an average of just 6.4 minutes. The top ten cities with the best pedestrian access also include Copenhagen, Turin, Dublin, Lyon, Munich, Paris, Marseille, Genoa, and Edinburgh.
The researchers also looked into how urban planning impacts pedestrian infrastructure. Paris, for example, already boasts impressive figures, with 93% of its residents living in neighborhoods where key facilities are within a 15-minute walk. With minor adjustments to the locations of shops and services, Paris could further reduce the average walking time. This could allow up to 97% of its residents to live in “15-minute” neighborhoods.
Such pedestrian-friendly urban designs are shown to have numerous benefits, including cleaner air, lower pollution levels, and a better overall health for residents. Moreover, increasing pedestrian traffic is proven to stimulate local businesses, particularly small shops and cafes, by creating vibrant, walkable communities.
Lviv’s placement on this global ranking highlights the city’s ongoing development and commitment to creating a more accessible and pedestrian-friendly environment for its residents. The findings suggest that as cities focus more on improving their pedestrian infrastructure, they can offer not only better quality of life but also contribute to environmental sustainability and economic growth.
