The Economist broke down the “The ABC of Mobility” study by researchers Rafael Prieto-Curiel and Juan Pablo Ospina, which looked at the habits of some 850 million people living in 794 cities around the world to understand their transportation behavior and to gain insight into "global mobility." After crunching the numbers, the researchers named Quelimane, Mozambique, the most walkable destination on Earth.
According to data from Sustainable Mobility of the 349,842 residents living in the seaport city, more than 82 percent walk as their main mode of transportation, while an additional 9 percent bike. However, as the Sustainable Mobility website noted, this also should urge local officials to improve pedestrian infrastructure for all.
"Given how dependent residents in Quelimane and the rest of Africa depend on walking and cycling, the urgency is higher to provide pedestrian and cycling infrastructure to maintain this modal split," the site noted. "Quelimane is also working towards establishing cycling paths, cycling highways, and shared bicycle programs to improve cycling conditions. This should be the norm for all types of new projects or developments, as sustainable and efficient mobility is a pre-condition for economic growth and personal wellbeing."
Other cities to make the list include Peja, Kosovo in second, followed by Utrecht in the Netherlands, Shkoder in Albania, and Granollers in Spain. Interestingly, The Economist noted that the wealthier a city is, the more dependent it is on cars.
