On: The Crisis in American Walking

[kilowatt]

This is so true. Although I'm not sure it's entirely about density--I think part of it is just that you're so alone as a pedestrian. At least if you're walking around my hometown, you might be the only one on the sidewalks, barring neighborhood kids hopscotching around or whatever, for 2 miles, even though there are homes and businesses everywhere. The psychological effect of being such an outlier is really noticeable.

[graeme → kilowatt]

I feel exactly the same way in the Plateau area of Montreal. I'm in Society when I go walking around, at any hour of the day or night.

I was recently in Calgary, and felt alone amidst giant buildings. It was quite off-putting.