{"id":21836,"date":"2011-07-18T03:00:59","date_gmt":"2011-07-18T07:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ecolocalizer.com\/?p=21836"},"modified":"2012-11-25T00:28:48","modified_gmt":"2012-11-25T00:28:48","slug":"walkable-livable-communities-institute-green-ngo-highlighted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikocity.com\/walkable-livable-communities-institute-green-ngo-highlighted\/","title":{"rendered":"Walkable & Livable Communities Institute {Green NGO Highlighted}"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are so many great non-profit organizations (aka non-governmental organizations or NGOs) out there that I decided to start a series illuminating the important work of some of these excellent groups. The first one I’m highlighting is one a friend recently directed me towards \u2014 the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I’ve actually been somewhat familiar with the institute for years, since I was a graduate student in city and regional planning at UNC-Chapel Hill, but not working in that field any more, it’s nice to run across such efforts in my professional blogging career.<\/p>\n

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Potential for a road remake in Orange Beach, Alabama<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Vision for a road remake in Orange Beach, Alabama<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First of all, why “walkable” communities?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Walkable communities are useful and even needed for a number of reasons:<\/p>\n

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  1. walking is about 20 times more efficient than driving (though, less efficient than bicycling) and we need to use the most efficient modes of transport<\/a> possible these days to cut our global warming pollution (and, thus, protect our health and potential for future life on earth, not to mention save money);<\/li>\n
  2. walkable communities are more united, friendly communities;<\/li>\n
  3. a large % of the population can’t drive (i.e. the aging, children, and some disabled people) — making communities walkable makes them more livable for such people and prevents isolation;<\/li>\n
  4. walkable communities are better for our health, both because they get us exercising a little more and they reduce harmful air and water pollution.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Now, what’s the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    It is a non-profit working around the nation to help create such communities, not from scratch but by supporting existing communities and helping empower them to transform for the better.<\/p>\n

    Here’s more from the organization’s page:<\/p>\n

    The Institute\u2019s mission is to inspire, teach, connect and support communities in their efforts to improve health and well-being through better built environments.<\/p>\n