This course invites participants to explore the pedestrian experience through a virtual urban thru-hike of San Antonio, Texas, led by professional long-distance backpacker and urban thru-hiker Liz Thomas. Participants will engage with a curated section of the San Antonio Urban Hike, designed to record, identify, and describe on-the-ground examples of pedestrian infrastructure and challenges. This immersive case study offers a broader look at the city’s pedestrian landscape, highlighting how urban design shapes the experiences of diverse pedestrians—commuters, tourists, exercisers, and more. By examining San Antonio’s unique blend of cultural, historical, and natural features, such as its iconic Riverwalk and mission trails, participants will gain insights into infrastructure that supports or hinders walkability.
Through this virtual exploration, participants will learn to recognize the diverse needs of pedestrian user groups and identify actionable strategies to enhance urban mobility. The course draws on Liz Thomas’s extensive experience hiking 14 cities, including San Antonio, to illustrate how urban thru-hiking can foster community connections, promote equitable access to public spaces, and inspire innovative urban planning. Participants will leave with practical ideas to adapt these principles to their own cities, creating walkable environments that encourage exploration, improve safety, and bridge geographic and social divides.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand Diverse Pedestrian Needs: Recognize the varied objectives of pedestrians, including commuters, tourists, and recreational walkers, to inform inclusive urban design.
- Evaluate Pedestrian Infrastructure: Identify infrastructure in San Antonio that supports or impedes pedestrian movement, such as dedicated walkways, bridges, and amenities like restrooms and water fountains.
- Promote Community Connectivity: Analyze how walkable routes can reduce physical and mental barriers between neighborhoods, fostering stronger community ties.
- Apply Urban Thru-Hiking Principles: Develop strategies to integrate urban thru-hiking concepts into city planning, encouraging exploration and advocacy for pedestrian-friendly environments.
- Inspire Innovative Solutions: Generate ideas for enhancing walkability in participants’ own cities, drawing from San Antonio’s successes and challenges.
