The Bottom-Up Revolution How Taking a Walk Can Make Your City Stronger
Aug 14, 2025
Ashley Thornton, founder of Waco Walks, focuses on enhancing walkability in Waco, Texas, inspired by her own experiences navigating the city on foot. She discusses the design flaws that make Waco challenging for pedestrians and shares how local walking initiatives foster community engagement. The conversation highlights the significant role that walkability plays in urban inclusivity and the challenges of advocating for pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Listeners can also discover charming local spots to enjoy while exploring the city on foot.
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Soggy Shoes, Unexpected Lessons
- Ashley accidentally washed her shoes in a front-loading machine while walking and was left barefoot at work for a while.
- The episode highlighted small, vivid surprises that come from choosing to walk regularly in a city.
Chance Encounters Build Community
- Walking let Ashley run into neighbors and strangers and sparked many unexpected conversations and hugs.
- Those daily interactions revealed walking's power to build small moments of community.
Walkable Yet Uncomfortable
- Waco is physically walkable nearly everywhere but often lacks a safe, comfortable pedestrian experience.
- Historical development choices created pockets that feel unfriendly despite short distances.
