Climate Connections Want to reduce your neighborhood's pollution? Try a 'walk audit'
Dec 1, 2025
In this segment, Maria Wardoku, a consultant specializing in pedestrian-friendly designs, shares insights on conducting effective walk audits. She emphasizes the importance of engaging diverse community members and local officials in the process. Maria highlights key elements to assess during the audit, such as trip hazards, wheelchair access, and areas lacking shade. This practical approach aims to create safer and more enjoyable walking environments, ultimately contributing to reducing neighborhood pollution and promoting climate-friendly habits.
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Barriers Make Walking Harder
- Walking instead of driving reduces climate-warming pollution but many neighborhoods impede walking.
- Broken sidewalks, busy intersections, and extreme heat make walking unsafe or uncomfortable.
Look For Specific Walkability Issues
- When auditing, check for trip hazards, puddles, hard-to-cross intersections, wheelchair access, and long unshaded stretches.
- Use those specific observations to identify and push for targeted improvements.
Include Heat Protections
- Consider heat protections when designing walkable places, like shaded resting areas and water access.
- Those features reduce risk of heat illness for pedestrians as climate warms.