Livable Communities Require Livable Streets w/ Sam Johnson

Livable Communities Require Livable Streets w/ Sam Johnson

Author: John Simmerman April 24, 2026 Duration: 1:16:09

In this episode, I connect with Sam Johnson from the World Bank for a discussion about the connection between active mobility for all ages and abilities and livable communities, as well as, overall quality of life measures.

Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):
👉 Invest In Livable Communities
👉 Invest In Livable Communities FAQ
👉 My episode with Prof. Ruth Oldenziel from TU Eindhoven
👉 You can connect with Sam on LinkedIn
👉 Ireland's progress in active mobility

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3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"
4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with cities

Credits:
- Video and audio production by John Simmerman
- Music via Epidemic Sound

Resources used during the production of this video:
- My recording platform is Ecamm Live
- Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
- Equipment: Contact me for a complete list

For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:
- Active Towns Website
- Active Towns on Bluesky
- Weekly Update e-Newsletter

Background:
Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.

Since 2010,  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."

The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.

Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.

Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2026

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Hosted by John Simmerman, Active Towns digs into a simple but powerful idea: what if our daily environments made movement a natural and joyful part of life? This isn't a fitness show; it's a series of conversations exploring how our towns and cities are fundamentally shaped, and how that shaping influences our health and happiness. Each episode connects with planners, advocates, designers, and everyday citizens who are reimagining public spaces, transportation, and community programs. You’ll hear specific stories about transforming a street corner into a gathering place, the ripple effects of a new bike path, or how a local policy shift can encourage more kids to walk to school. The discussions go beyond theory, focusing on the tangible people, places, and policies making a difference right now. Tuning into this podcast offers a hopeful and practical look at the building blocks of vibrant, healthier communities, revealing how small changes in our shared surroundings can collectively foster a culture where activity is woven into the fabric of everyday life. It’s for anyone curious about the intersection of well-being, design, and civic life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Active Towns
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