One step at a time: How Baguio is building a City best explored on foot

FEATURE

For decades, visitors have laughed, sighed, and occasionally groaned at the phrase, “walking distance,” a term Baguio residents casually use to describe destinations that may seem much farther than expected. Yet behind the running joke lies a defining characteristic of the Summer Capital—its enduring culture of walking.

Today, Baguio City is turning that identity into a long-term urban vision.

The city government is investing P250 million in a major sidewalk development and improvement program aimed at creating wider, safer, and more accessible pedestrian pathways across key areas of the city. The initiative seeks to strengthen Baguio's reputation as one of the country's most walkable urban centers while improving mobility for both residents and tourists.

According to City Engineer Richard Lardizabal, the project will cover eight road sections spanning approximately 29,120 meters. The upgraded sidewalks will feature a standard width of 1.5 meters and will include curbs and gutters to enhance pedestrian safety and accessibility.

Areas covered by the project include Asin Road and the San Luis Village area, Barangay Brookside, Barangay Manuel Roxas, Barangay Middle Quezon Hill and Quezon Hill Proper, Lower Lourdes Subdivision, and Barangay Middle Rock Quarry.

Additional road sections include Upper and Lower Rock Quarry, Barangay General Emilio F. Aguinaldo, Upper Quirino-Magsaysay and Ferdinand, Barangay Aurora Hill and Bayan Park, and Barangay Pinget.

The infrastructure project forms part of the city's broader effort to encourage walking as a practical and sustainable mode of transportation. In recent years, Baguio has also installed "walk meters" in key tourist destinations to motivate both residents and visitors to explore the city on foot and appreciate the actual distance between landmarks.

A City Built for Walking

While the nickname "walking distance city" is often delivered with a touch of humor, it reflects a lifestyle deeply rooted in Baguio's culture.

Many locals have grown accustomed to navigating the city's steep roads, stairways, and interconnected neighborhoods on foot. What may seem like a long trek for visitors is often considered a routine walk for residents who have embraced walking as part of everyday life.

The habit extends beyond convenience. Walking has become an essential part of how people experience the city—allowing them to enjoy the cool climate, discover local shops and eateries, interact with fellow residents, and appreciate Baguio's unique mountain landscape.

Over time, the city's reputation for being a "walking distance" destination has evolved from a humorous local stereotype into a defining element of its urban identity.

Benefits Beyond Mobility

Urban planners and public health advocates have long emphasized the advantages of walkable communities. Wider sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure encourage physical activity, reduce traffic congestion, lessen dependence on motor vehicles, and contribute to lower carbon emissions.

For a city that regularly grapples with traffic congestion, especially during peak tourist seasons, encouraging more people to walk can help ease pressure on major roads while creating a more sustainable and people-centered urban environment.

Walkable cities also tend to support local businesses, as pedestrians are more likely to stop at shops, restaurants, and community spaces than those simply passing through in vehicles.

As Baguio continues to grow, city officials hope that investing in pedestrian infrastructure will help preserve the qualities that have long made the city distinct—its accessibility, livability, and strong connection between people and place.

What began as a lighthearted joke about "walking distance" may now be evolving into one of Baguio's greatest strengths: a city where walking is not just possible, but preferred.