Here’s what an effective city seems to do: have plenty of interrupted stretches of walking pathways, pedestrian paths, overpasses and generous room for walkers to cross busy roads. 

There is little friction to rack up kilometers. It could be to get from one place to the next. Or it could be to get to the station or bus stop. This is distinct from walking explicitly to rack up a step count. 

Infrastructure makes it easy to carry along folding bikes. It’s easy to drive these compact bikes on smooth roads. So you walk and cycle around. 

World-class does not stop with setting up a train line(s). The entire city including buildings and neighbourhoods support being active. The traffic is civil. As are small businesses and hawkers. 


Takeaway 

In Madras, it is ludicrously hard to be active as part of our everyday life. The environment is designed or has evolved to become pedestrian-hostile. 

This makes explicit activity for the sake of low intensity activity such as walking a necessity. Our cities just don’t allow for NEAT as part of our daily lives. Footpaths are a privilege. 

Our cherry picking of what makes for world-class infrastructure only ensures the long term mediocrity of our urban spaces.