Santiago, leader in walkability

Santiago has been named the top walking city in Latin America and among the world's 30 most walkable cities according to the Best 100 Walking Cities 2026 ranking published by GuruWalk. This recognition highlights Santiago’s appeal as a destination for pedestrians, emphasizing its ability to attract tourists who choose to explore the city on foot. However, the evaluation does not focus solely on traditional urban planning metrics such as sidewalks, universal accessibility, or proximity to services. Instead, it considers data related to usage and satisfaction among travelers who walk through cities, offering insights into the overall experience of discovering a city by foot rather than assessing the comprehensive quality of pedestrian infrastructure.

The report underscores that while certain areas of Santiago are conducive to walking, others present significant challenges. The city's large size means that walking is not always the preferred mode of transport, but when feasible, it should be safe, comfortable, and inclusive—meeting the standards set by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) for walkable cities. In this regard, experiences vary widely depending on the neighborhood. Some districts offer pleasant walking conditions, while others make it difficult due to factors ranging from inadequate infrastructure to safety concerns.

In contrast to cities like Madrid or Rome, which have gained international acclaim not because their residents enjoy walking, but because they were planned to facilitate it, Santiago still has room for improvement. Paris, for example, introduced the concept of the "city of fifteen minutes," bringing essential services closer to homes, while Barcelona transformed parts of the city using "superblocks," reclaiming space for pedestrians. These examples highlight potential strategies that Santiago could adopt to enhance its walkability.

A key challenge lies in creating a more equitable walking environment throughout the city. This would require continuous and accessible sidewalks, secure crosswalks, abundant tree cover, appropriate lighting, functional public furniture, and neighborhoods where housing, commerce, education, and services are within walking distance. It also involves reducing barriers that fragment the city, such as urban highways, hostile avenues, and extensive single-use zones. Both affluent and poorer communities face distinct obstacles—affluent areas often rely heavily on cars, while poorer regions struggle with discomfort or insecurity. In both cases, walking remains a challenging endeavor.

The recognition by GuruWalk prompts a crucial question: If Santiago is so appealing for walking tours, why isn't it equally accessible for its residents, whether they live in wealthy suburbs or impoverished outskirts? The goal now is to ensure that the experience of walking becomes a daily reality for all citizens, including elderly individuals going shopping, children returning from school, people with limited mobility crossing streets, drivers using unnecessarily large vehicles, and workers commuting to jobs early in the morning. While Santiago appears to have mastered the art of being an attractive place to explore on foot, it still needs to evolve into a city that is easy to inhabit by walking.

Reactions to Santiago's ranking have extended beyond Chile. In Peru, discussions have arisen comparing the country's recent investment in cable cars with Santiago's approach to improving walkability. Some Peruvians expressed admiration for Santiago's achievements, noting that their own initiatives seem to lag behind. This comparison reflects broader conversations about urban planning and transportation policies across Latin America, highlighting how different cities are addressing the challenges of modern urban living through varied strategies.