A report on the benefits of walking has recently been published by Arup. The Cities Alive: Towards a Walking World report looks at the many ways walking could improve city life.
The report suggests that while there are many health benefits, walking can also lead to economic benefits and reduce pollution significantly. Furthermore, urban spaces are made safer with a lot of people walking in them and it, of course, also makes people happier.
Fifty drivers of change are then highlighted, covering social, technological, economic, environmental and political arenas, with a set of interviews from leading thinkers in the field. Social benefits are divided into four main sections: health and well-being, social cohesion, equality and safety.
The benefits of walking for health and well-being include improved mental health and reduced risk of developing serious health conditions and diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
Eighty case studies from cities across the world are also featured to demonstrate that positive outcomes are achievable.
Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) 