According to data from the 2017 Origin-Destination survey in the city of São Paulo, walking is most prevalent in the periphery. In Heliópolis, the city's largest favela, 37.7% of trips are made exclusively on foot. In Paraisópolis, the second-largest favela, this figure rises to 40.7%, while in Brasilândia, the eighth most populous district, it is 30.9%.
To reflect on the difficulties faced when walking in peripheral areas, the Instituto Caminhabilidade is hosting the 8th edition of Walking Week, themed "Perifa a Pé." The event, taking place from August 4 to 10, 2024, will feature various activities promoted by more than 50 organizations. The goal is to discuss the decentralization of walkability initiatives, proposing specific solutions for peripheral areas and addressing urban design challenges, including alleys, stairways, and bridges.
"Walking is more significant in the periphery, yet streets do not invite walking nor prioritize those on foot. Therefore, we must reflect on how to create streets that prioritize the social interaction that is already so latent," says Leticia Sabino, CEO of the Instituto Caminhabilidade. "Our goal is to give visibility to walkability conditions in peripheral areas to help build effective solutions alongside the people who live and walk in these territories," she adds.
