1936 Walkability, Place and Well-Being in Tokyo

Publication date: June 2017 Source:Journal of Transport & Health, Volume 5, Supplement Author(s): Matthew Williams Framing the Research Tokyo is the world’s largest metropolis and has a world-renown labyrinthine metro system, which operates with unrivalled efficiency. This system is complimented by equally efficient, and reliable bus services. Its metro system was built early enough, and its coverage is expansive enough, to have negated the need for car ownership in many cases. However, efficiency does not necessarily equate to well being. Research repeatedly shows that well being is found in walkable human-scaled streets and places which connect individuals to their environment, their city, and especially to other people. These spaces should also strengthen a sense of place among residents, drawing diverse people together and anchoring them with a feeling of connection. Many people’s routine commute in Tokyo includes a walk to and from the nearest subway stop. They also walk to buy groceries locally, for exercise, to meet friends, etc., and sometimes as a detour from their walking commute. When walking to and from the subway, people are driven by time constraints and have a specific purpose. Nevertheless, all walking should be an opportunity to raise well being, to feel connected and build a sense of place and belonging. And, indeed it should build an appetite for further walking. In addition, after a long commute on a crowded Tokyo subway, walking in the righ...
Source: Journal of Transport and Health - Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research