I have come to appreciate essence of the pedestrian and lament that it is not a perspective shared by this town, Charlotte. It can be a rich experience to walk through a community especially when the place is designed with plazas and promenades that support the peripatetic. Unfortunately, this can be difficult in place like Charlotte where the urban sprawl and corresponding automobile dominates. In Charlotte, Pedestrians put their lives at risk. Here is a recent article from the Charlotte observer that supports my statements: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/01/11/2916789/pedestrian-hit-at-stonewall-college.html
I have met a woman who lives on one side of South Boulevard and patronizes businesses on the other side. She told me she drives the short distance in her car for fear of crossing that street on foot. Her automobile is a suite of armor that she wears to safely traverse a distance that she would probably, otherwise, walk or bicycle. I believe traveling around in this way isolates people from their habitat, limits the experience of their city, and denies them the sensation of blood flushing their muscles. Yes, there is some evidence that Charlotte is improving for the pedestrian, but this town still has a ways to go in terms of locomotion.
Templesart 