Peaceful Walking
Both Malchik and Loerzel present key points regarding the influence of walking on other aspects of life. When answering the question “how does where you live influence how you live?” Malchik and Loerzel would emphasis the walkability of said community, analyzing how walkable a environment is and what impact this has on life. If you live in a more walkable city, it is more probable that you will be able to conduct your day to day errands, such as grocery shopping or taking your kids to school by foot. But, it is not like this in every part in America, with other places putting an unescapable priority on driving, making it nearly impossible and possibly dangerous to attempt these day to day errands on foot. Continuing on, when speaking upon social capital and its link to infrastructure, Malchik and Loerzel would present opinions saying that infrastructure such as sidewalks and other aspects that encourage walking, increase social capital and present endless opportunities to expand your social capital because everything is quite literally, at your footsteps. This is then compared to communities which infrastructure is primarily focused on highways and roadways which encourage driving more than walking, making elements of social capital and community further out of reach, and adds an element of an unequal opportunity for the expansion for social capital. Despite the positivity surrounding walking presented by both authors, it is undeniable that walking in places that discourage the act can be inherently dangerous. Jay walking and other legal barriers placed on the freeing act of walking can pose a threat to civilians attempting to do what is easier, putting one foot in front of another, instead of driving. This also can relate to the recklessness of drivers in regards to pedestrians, which can result in life threatening scenarios which are hard to escape.
When speaking upon how we can reclaim our streets for walking, Malchik and Loerzel would encourage the creation of more grass roots organizations, such as ones briefly mentioned by Loerzel, who encourage walking and discourage the creation of elements, such as highways, which make it harder and harder for communities to be centered around the importance of walking.
A prime example of a “walkable block” would be N. Clifton Avenue, specifically between W. Webster and W. Dickens. This block exudes an immense sense of community and safety, with the proximity of the elementary school and various residences. Despite its community feel, it does not lose the elements that are important to the city, such as the walkability. This presents an example of order and variety.
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Leslie Cortez states in an interview regarding her upbringing on Chicago’s West Side, “‘“It was this disbelief of, ‘How are you surviving every single day?’ Like this assumption that it’s like a warzone or something,’ she said” (Cortez 1). In her interview, Cortez speaks upon the treatment she received as a result of the segregation of Chicago, which characterized her home neighborhood as somewhere dangerous people should never venture too. But in reality, these neighborhoods are homes and communities for people, not just what is portrayed through a segregated city and media. I really want to connect these points presented in my project, attempting to prove there is peace everywhere in Chicago, and ways to feel safe and at home even in neighborhoods that are characterized as “warzones” because of misconceptions.
Leo Hollis states in his article, “Reclamation of the city begins with the realisation that ‘that’ place, whatever its problems, is in fact ‘our’ place. By reclaiming it, we might actually find that we possess the solution, and in the process, we might just change ourselves” (Hollis 1). In other words, Hollis is attempting to rid stereotypes and issues regarding cities in order to reclaim communities. I think this speaks well to my topic, because similar to Cortez, this puts an emphasis on how beauty and peace is everywhere in a city, despite preconceived notions which are riddled with inaccuracies. In an attempt to make our perception more accurate, we can reclaim cities and begin to tie communities together.
Kathleen Rooney states in her narrative article, “The city is dangerous and cannot be trusted is something you are told all the time because somebody benefits by having you think that” (Rooney 1). Similar to the other quotations, Rooney brings up an important point regarding stereotypes regarding cities, and why they are put in place and encouraged in the first place. Rooney attempts to challenge these ideas, encouraging exploring the city. This relates to my project because I want to put an emphasis on the importance and beauty of cities, Chicago in particular. I want to attempt to do what these writers do as well, which is begin to characterize Chicago as something of beauty and peace rather than something of danger and chaos.
