Again, back to reality, we don’t have “proper” urban design. We have what we have. Now to find the best solutions for it. And yes, while an hour and half of walking is healthy for people, picking it as a standing part of their commute isn’t realistic. Nor is it realistic to factor it for a stroll on their basic errands.
I’ve done the mile plus walk from the grocery store by the train to the house in NY in December lugging two smallish bags of groceries navigating icey walkways, slop, the mist of salt and road water as cars go by and the relative warmth of upper teens temps with a good stiff breeze.
Invigorating, sure, as a one off. As dangerous as driving? Likely. Time consuming, yep. Possible on a bike, yep as long as I don’t mind the express ticket to meet my maker.
Most urban planners place the max reliable distance from public transit at a 1/4 mile, 400 meters and slightly longer for faster transit, i.e. 500 meters for the Paris Metro. That’s reality. It’s pretty consistent the world over.
Now, how to plan public transit for a population of 4 million covering 2.5 billion square meters roughly rectangular measuring 65000 meters by 40000 meters when they’ll reasonably travel 500 meters to use it.
