What makes a community truly walkable?

On a recent trip to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, I averaged 20,000 steps a day—and actually enjoyed it. From the moment I landed, I could walk straight from the airport to the train station and get to my hotel in the city.

- Kara Santos

On a recent trip to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, I averaged 20,000 steps a day—and actually enjoyed it. From the moment I landed, I could walk straight from the airport to the train station and get to my hotel in the city. Public transport was seamless; stations connected directly to key areas, and everything felt designed for people, not just vehicles.

The sidewalks were clean, shaded with trees, and pleasant to walk around. At intersections, cars and motorcycles automatically stopped for pedestrians. At-grade crossings made it easier for everyone—including wheelchair users—to cross safely. Just enjoying the most basic infrastructure felt like a dream.

Back in Metro Manila, walking tells a very different story. Navigating the streets can be a pedestrian nightmare.

According to the paper "Assessment of Pedestrian Facilities in Major Cities of the Philippines," 77.5% of Metro Manila commuters spend more time walking to their destination than actually riding public or private transportation. This means that most pedestrians face real hazards due to poor infrastructure.

Just take a look at the daily plight that Filipino pedestrians face in Metro Manila in the video #FixthePhilippines by the Move As One Coalition and TBWA\SMP.

Poorly built and outright dangerous pedestrian paths are the sad reality. The sidewalk under MRT-3 Ortigas Station squeezes pedestrians into tight spaces to make way for cars. The infamous "Mount Kamuning" forces people to climb a long and steep footbridge along EDSA with no protection from heat, rain, or pollution.