18 / Sensorial urbanism / with walking artist Jonathon Stalls

Jonathon Stalls — A walking artist, and leader of Pedestrian Dignity and Intrinsic Paths — is in good traffic (by way of Denver, CO) to talk the power of human mobility and transportation’s most foundational form: walking. Jonathon adds a poetic and expressive element to the inanimate and harsh likes of pavement, engineering, and cities at large.

His storytelling is unrivaled in its ability to convey the realness and rawness of human movement in our American cities, outside of the automobile.

We discuss:

• 00:44 The walking artist.


• 07:33 The Pedestrian Dignity project.


• 09:20 The impact of urban planning on the accessibility of places.


• 17:46 The contentious relationship between cars and accessibility.


• 23:54 Group walks with the Denver DOT, city leaders and engineers, and dosing actionable empathy.


• 32:34 The bus experience.


• 33:17 Perception problem with buses in the U.S.


• 34:31 The weight of dignity in transportation.


• 34:48 The built environment is often so rough and rigid.


• 35:46 The sensorial perspective in urban planning.


• 41:02 Walking and movement, with neuroscientific supports.


• 44:15 Walking across the U.S., and other long-distance walking experiences.


• 46:19 Walking as a creative and healing practice.


• 54:04 Urbanism in Denver, Colorado.


• 01:03:17 Engaging with Pedestrian Dignity.

Further context:

• Jonathon's book: WALK - Slow Down, Wake Up & Connect at 1-3 Miles Per Hour.


• Small-town walkability precedent: Long Beach, Washington.


• America Walks.

Connecting with Jonathon:

• ⁠⁠On TikTok.⁠⁠⁠


• On Instagram.⁠⁠


• Intrinsic Paths.


• Jonathon's Patreon.

Connecting with me, Brad:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On TikTok⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠On LinkedIn⁠⁠.