Final answer:
John Whitelegg emphasizes the significance of walking within urban and transport planning. Despite the advances in transportation, cities must adapt their planning to ensure walking remains a viable and sustainable form of urban mobility.
Step-by-step explanation:
In John Whitelegg's chapter, "Walking in the City", the author suggests that walking plays a crucial but often overlooked role in contemporary urban and transport planning. Exploring the design of cities, it becomes evident that walkers and drivers must navigate through complex two-dimensional, zigzagged paths, rather than traveling in straight lines, due to the layout of roads and sidewalks.
As cities evolved from industrialization, where proximity of all business activities to factories was necessary, modern transportation systems have led to varying urban forms and a need to reconsider urban planning to incorporate walking as an integral component for accessible and sustainable city living.
This is evident in the contrasts drawn between the car-oriented transportation systems of the United States and public transportation-focused systems in Europe. Walking, once the main mode of transportation, now requires thoughtful integration into evolving urban landscapes to accommodate the needs of pedestrians alongside vehicular traffic and public transit.