Pedestrian-unfriendly

Describing an environment, infrastructure, or urban design that discourages or endangers walking. This can manifest through a lack of sidewalks, inadequate crosswalks, excessive road widths, high traffic speeds, absence of pedestrian-oriented amenities like benches or shade, and insufficient consideration for the needs and safety of those traveling on foot. A pedestrian-unfriendly area often prioritizes vehicular traffic over the comfort and accessibility of pedestrians, leading to a less walkable and potentially hazardous environment. These designs often lead to decreased walkability, isolation, and a greater reliance on cars.

Pedestrian-unfriendly meaning with examples

• The sprawling suburban development, with its wide roads and limited sidewalks, proved decisively pedestrian-unfriendly. Crossing the busy thoroughfare felt like a life-or-death situation, making even short trips require a car. Its isolated design also created fewer opportunities for social interaction between neighbors, increasing reliance on cars and diminishing community interactions.
• The city’s redesign of Main Street, replacing crosswalks with expansive lanes for speeding traffic, unfortunately rendered the area noticeably pedestrian-unfriendly. Many residents expressed concerns over the reduced safety for children and the elderly, leading to lower walkability. This planning choice further contributed to more urban sprawl and greater traffic congestion.
• During the city's efforts at expansion, their decision to construct a new shopping center without dedicated pedestrian pathways or sufficient public transport access, labeled the complex as extremely pedestrian-unfriendly. This situation forced all shoppers into a car-dependent environment which in turn made it difficult to be accessible to many people without their own transportation. It also contributed to an increase in traffic congestion.
• Many critics deemed the downtown area near the sports stadium pedestrian-unfriendly. With massive parking lots dominating the landscape and wide, fast-moving streets separating the stadium from surrounding businesses, walking to the game proved dangerous and inconvenient. Fans often chose to drive due to poor pedestrian infrastructure, adding to the already overwhelming traffic experienced on game days.