The role of advocacy

Abstract

This chapter examines elements that drive change for improved walking conditions in communities as well as specific strategies regarding wayfinding. Community leaders, change agents, individual citizens, and institutions all play a role in advocating for change. Each stakeholder has a mission or personal perspective that leads him or her to support or oppose change. Walking yields many co-benefits, so “not surprisingly” impetus for change comes from a diverse set of stakeholders. These stakeholders have different capacities and focus, such as safety, health, cost cutting, and economic development. Wayfinding systems provide an excellent advocacy lens because systems range in size and complexity, from citywide systems to those put up overnight by motivated individuals. Each day millions of people use remarkable digital wayfinding tools to navigate in towns and cities across the globe; these tools also open up possibilities for crowdsourcing advocacy. Ultimately, the needs and desires of people will drive change. While the methods range from market-based tools to publicly provided goods and individually posted signs, the resulting advocacy is helping achieve safer, more comfortable, and navigable communities for people of all demographics.