How Cities Are Designed: Creating Walkable Places with Jahnavi Kirtane
Cities don’t just develop over time — they’re shaped by decisions about transportation, where we build, and what gets prioritized.
Urban planner Jahnavi Kirtane explains how those decisions come together, why so many places in the U.S. are built around cars, and how walkability affects independence, access, and everyday life in ways most people don’t realize.
Hear Jahnavi talk about:
The difference between growing up in a car-dependent suburb and navigating New York City
What “walkability” actually means and how it shows up in daily life
Why many U.S. communities are designed around cars
The kinds of decisions that shape how cities function
How design influences independence, access, and connection
Mentioned in this episode:
Walkable City by Jeff Speck
Speck Dempsey, the planning and design firm where Jahnavi works
Jeff Speck's TED talk, The Walkable City
“Walking is really good for you, both your physical health and your social health and emotional health.”
Episode 31 Notes
Coming soon.
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