The Science Behind Walkable Cities

Why we crave European summers and tend to peak in college

BY Juliet Seith ★ July 20th, 2025

Photo Credit: Juliet Seith

My feed, just as it is every year from June to August, has been flooded with pictures of city streets in Italy, Portugal, Scotland — and pretty much every other western European country. The idea of exploring a new place without relying on a car, as we tend to in the United States, is certainly appealing. Considering that roughly 70% of Americans live in rural or suburban areas — where even a car is required to get a cup of coffee — it makes sense that those who can afford it would spend holidays somewhere with everything they need at their fingertips.

Likewise, we’ve all heard adults in our lives say to “embrace your college years” — even from those who wouldn’t call them the best years of their lives. Consider how convenient campus life is: low funds don’t stop us from easily getting food, exercising, seeking medical attention or socializing. Syracuse is especially beneficial in this way: The longest walk across campus is less than 20 minutes. While we may have to Uber to nicer restaurants or grocery stores, everything we need in our day-to-day lives is easily accessible.

Besides mere convenience, there is a lot of science behind why we are attracted to walkable communities. The first — and most obvious — is that by walking more, we are being more active and therefore healthier. This includes reduced body fat, increased endurance and stronger muscles. 

The loss of these benefits can even be felt now by those of us who live in suburban areas. My daily step count has gone from hitting 12,000 every day at school to now considering 5,000 an achievement. While I still walk around my neighborhood with my dog every day, it doesn’t compare to the feeling I had when walking was my primary source of transportation. Studies show I’m not alone. People living in a walkable area are 50% more likely to meet their daily exercise goals.

And it’s not just about burning calories; your brain actually loves movement. Frequent activity throughout the day is directly linked to increased serotonin and dopamine. While it may feel exhausting walking up and down the hills of campus every day, the reward centers in our brains fire like crazy, improving our motivation and discipline, and allowing us to achieve more in a day. By completing tasks, more dopamine is released, and the cycle continues. Living in an environment that encourages regular movement throughout the day does indeed make an individual happier and more satisfied with their quality of life.

Another aspect of walkable communities that is often overlooked is the increased social benefits. Rather than driving through a fast-food lane or grabbing a to-go order, walking forces you to interact with the people and the world around you, fostering connections and providing more purpose. The entertainment and pleasure you get from social interaction are more than enough to increase mood; it has also been proven that increased social activity can provide long-term health benefits. Not only are you enjoying the ease of the moment now, but you are reducing your risk of dementia, heart disease and strokes in the future. 

You may still doubt that walkable communities are to thank for the appeal of European cities and college campuses — after all, European food is better for the body than American food, and colleges are full of young people who are in their prime physical state. 

A study in Austin, Texas by Texas A&M University proved that Americans of all ages can experience these benefits just by walking more in their day-to-day lives. Outdoor exercise levels of residents living in a walkable community went up by roughly 40%, with 70% reporting higher activity levels and 52% reporting greater health in general. The average age of residents was 44 years, proving that people of all ages can improve their health and social activity by simply having an environment that promotes regular movement.

Of course, the vast size of the United States makes it difficult to create walkable communities everywhere. That’s why taking advantage of this time in college is incredibly important. It’s also a key consideration when deciding where to live post-grad, as cities like New York, Boston and Portland are just a few of the many walkable cities our country has to offer.

Ultimately, the appeal of walkable communities isn’t just about charm or nostalgia. The human body and mind thrive in environments built for connection and movement. These cities don’t just look good on Instagram; they’re good for us, too.