Jay Walljasper

writes, speaks, edits, and consults about creating stronger, more vital communities. He is a Senior Fellow at Project of Public Spaces, editor of the Blue Mountain Center Commons, and author of The Great Neighborhood Book and All That We Share: A Field Guide to the Commons. Walljasper is a 大象传媒 contributing editor.

Articles By This Author

Health & Happiness

A Health Breakthrough that Depends on People, Not Drugs

Meet the system stewards, people from every walk of life who improve Americans鈥� well-being by tackling the deeper causes of disease and despair.

Jay Walljasper | Jan 1, 2020

Health & Happiness

To Confront Effects of Trauma, Start with Self-Care

Resilience practices and culturally rooted health traditions show promise for overcoming trauma in real-life settings.

Jay Walljasper | Nov 6, 2019

Opinion | Health & Happiness

For Healthy Communities, Look Beyond Diet and Exercise

Improving health for everyone starts with addressing systemic inequities.

Jay Walljasper | Jul 19, 2019

Environment

12 Reasons Biking Is About to Get Way More Popular

It鈥檚 no longer a white-people thing, a big city thing, or an ultra-fit athlete thing.

Jay Walljasper | Dec 16, 2017

大象传媒

Philadelphia鈥檚 Alternative to Gentrification Spreads Opportunity to All Corners

Stark boundaries鈥攔ich vs. poor, black and brown vs. white鈥攂egin to break down as people share parks, trails, libraries, nature centers, and other gathering places.

Jay Walljasper | Jun 13, 2017

Health & Happiness

How America鈥檚鈥淲orst Walking City鈥� Got Back on its Feet

When Oklahoma City was named the least walkable city in America, residents approved an $18 million sidewalk improvement project to help their community get moving.

Jay Walljasper | Mar 25, 2016

Health & Happiness

Take a Walk: 11 Ways to Build the Healthy Habit

Walking might just be the easiest way to get in daily exercise. Here are a few ways to make the practice even easier.

Jay Walljasper | Oct 17, 2015

Health & Happiness

Surgeon General鈥檚 Prescription for Health: Walk More

New landmark report announces national campaign to encourage Americans to walk more, by making communities safer and more accessible.

Jay Walljasper | Sep 15, 2015

Health & Happiness

7 Small Towns Taking Big Steps to Get People Walking

These communities are helping residents take steps towards healthier lives by making walking a priority.

Jay Walljasper | Jul 10, 2015

Health & Happiness

These Minnesotans Boosted Walking in Their Small Town by 70 Percent. Here's How.

In Albert Lea, Minnesota, residents rejuvenated their rural community through increased physical activity.

Jay Walljasper | May 18, 2015

Economy

What Your Town Can Learn From America's Most Walkable Suburb

It's got great transit, plenty of sidewalks, and values people more than cars.

Jay Walljasper | Mar 31, 2015

Economy

Young Adults Love Walking, Biking, and Buses鈥�11 Reasons That鈥檚 Good For Everyone

Buses, trains, bikes, and walking represent more than an efficient means of getting from one place to another. They move us toward a brighter future because of the many social and economic benefits they foster.

Jay Walljasper | Feb 3, 2015

Backyard swing. Photo by Jason Parks / Flickr.

Health & Happiness

How 鈥淕ranny Flats鈥� and Suburban Downtowns Are Creating a Different (and Better) Kind of Density

Density has become a dirty word in some circles because people associate it with big, ugly buildings. Luckily, there are other ways to get people living close together.

Jay Walljasper | Dec 31, 2014

Economy

Walking: The Secret Ingredient for Health, Wealth, and More Exciting Neighborhoods

It's been called "America's untrendiest trend." The evidence that millions of people are finally walking again is as solid as the ground beneath our feet.

Jay Walljasper | Dec 26, 2014

Democracy

For Walkers and Cyclists, A Swedish Road-Planning Strategy Helps Save Lives

Utah, Minnesota, and Washington have seen traffic fatalities decline by 40 percent. Here's how they did it.

Jay Walljasper | Sep 3, 2014

Environment

Scared of Biking in Traffic? These Cities Are Making It Safe

To get people on bikes in big numbers, cities are finding that it's essential to separate bike lanes from traffic.

Jay Walljasper | Jul 11, 2014

Central Park photo by Gregory James van Raalte

How Cities Can Be Designed to Help鈥攐r Hinder鈥擲haring

City-dwellers are more likely than others to share housing, transit, and knowledge. Creating a new urban economy depends on valuing this interaction over individual consumption.

Jay Walljasper | Mar 29, 2014

Health & Happiness

Sitting Is the New Smoking: Why Walking Is the 鈥淪ecret Sauce鈥� for Better Health and Happier Communities

Whether you live in the 鈥榖urbs, the city, or the middle of nowhere, the "wonder drug" of walking is just what the doctor ordered.

Jay Walljasper | Jan 7, 2014

Health & Happiness

Finding the Gold in "Tough" Neighborhoods

To transform economically and socially depressed areas into healthy, vibrant communities, we have to focus on their strengths and trust residents to solve their own problems.

Jay Walljasper | Sep 12, 2013