Ann Arbor's Greatest Appeal: Sidewalks
November 13, 2024
Writer: Emily Becker
Editor: Caroline Grin
Ann Arbor is considered one of the greatest college towns in America, with a diverse and expansive array of food options, nightlife, nature, and of course, the Big House. Not only is it the place 50,000 college students call home, but it is also well-loved by families and people of all ages. Bringing in top-tier music artists, popular sports games, and a world-class education that connects people worldwide, Ann Arbor offers a small, intimate feel that connects us to the larger world. I wondered how a university with as large of a campus and student body as our own maintained such a homey yet expansive environment.
In Jane Jacobs’ The Death and Life of Great American Cities, she discusses “the social life of city sidewalks” and their great power on the fabric of cities. In Ann Arbor, students can walk from even the farthest dorm on the Hill to the Big House on Saturdays. Families can take a stroll to Hill Auditorium to attend a concert put on by the university. Within walking distance, we can find ourselves at one of many coffee shops, at the Huron River, or in the artsy streets of Kerrytown. The inner connection makes possibilities endless.
At an elementary school on South University Avenue, students can go on field trips all around the city of Ann Arbor without the extra cost of hiring a bus system. Teachers lead students to an end-of-year picnic in the arboretum or take them on parades around the city for Halloween. We as students walk through the Diag where we may enter a TikTok challenge to win a free prize or encounter one of our friends also on their way to class. We notice someone’s outfit we like and comment on it, potentially making a new friend. We see a bake sale for a club we’re interested in and think about joining. The sheer presence of other people makes us want to engage, something that is absent when commuting in a car by ourselves.
Finland has been on many lists of “happiest countries in the world” for many years now. A large reason for this is due to their dedication to the outdoors and physical wellness — two things walking entails. Fresh air, connection with nature, and moving our bodies not only impacts our corporeal well-being but our mental health as well. This also proves true for a city like Ann Arbor where walking plays an integral role in our daily lives.
In the past couple of years, there’s been a “trend” for recently graduated individuals to flock to cities. Something about the bustling, walkable feel of a city can emulate that homey feel of a college campus that brings a sort of comfort to starting a new period of life. Sidewalks not only offer a free and safe method of transportation but also aid in the social atmosphere of the city and contribute to our physical well-being. Ann Arbor is an incredible example of a city whose true power of community lies in its sidewalks.
Image: Lynn Sabieddine
