The city of St. Louis was built for walking. But the rise of the automobile has changed that, not only in St. Louis, but also all over America. A return to the concept of a walking city would revitalize St. Louis.

This does not mean forcing people out of their automobiles. Instead, it would create a positive, high-quality lifestyle that attracts people to the city.

Creating that environment is tricky, but possibilities are endless. Walking cities have been the dominate urban form throughout history.

A walking city includes a comprehensive, multi-layered transit system, including bicycles, streetcars, buses, rail, taxis and more. But such diversity is missing in St. Louis now.

Even without major expenditures on streetcars and rail, a transformation could occur with simple changes in policy and minor investments.

Reorganizing the transit system as a way to create public space is pivotal in a walking-oriented society. Most Metro stations in the region empty into parking lots, some very large. The model for successful cities is to collect transit into commercial, public or market squares. This stimulates economic activity while generating a human-oriented environment, making transit more desirable to use.

Parking should be integrated into walking scenarios, but it should avoid desirable walking areas.

Opportunity zoning that allows commercial activity in most city buildings is another policy change that would improve pedestrian traffic and contribute to economic diversification.

This designation is in the latest St. Louis city land use plan, but it covers only small, hard-to-develop areas.

A new opportunity zone should start with allowing commercial activity in the whole city. Land-use zoning of the 20th century largely has been a disaster for St. Louis.

Trying to centralize economic activity has led to today's economic crisis. The free-thinking economic approach of old St. Louis — which made St. Louis an economic engine in Missouri and the nation — should be duplicated. Some neighborhoods may be more comfortable with this approach than others.

Transportation is a key policy issue. Bicycles are only a step from walking and could become the centerpiece of a new St. Louis. Montreal, Canada has installed 300 bike-rental stations for about $14 million. It is projected this rental system will pay for itself. It is a modest investment for potentially major impacts.

Bicycles offer the ability to experiment with mass transit cheaply; the stations are readily moveable along with major bicycle routes. Bicycle rental stations can offer alternatives in a city without many other choices. A comprehensive system of bicycles is an economical method of adding a new layer of transit.

Tax credits and other incentives should be given to developers who meet requirements for a walking city; 25-foot lots support a walking city better than 50-foot lots.

The need for incentives to increase density will lessen as other initiatives like bicycles; opportunity zoning and reorganization of transit encourage the shaping of a different style of city.

NorthSide developer Paul McKee should only be granted tax subsidization if his project fits into an overall idea of the city. His job centers are suburban, car-oriented concepts similar to a Hanley Industrial Court. A walking city should integrate work, housing, transportation and commercial activities. Work should not be isolated into centers at the expense of daily life.

St. Louis can be transformed into a desirable, forward-looking city.

Only government can establish a direction and purpose for the individual developer and builder. The idea of a walking city must inform city decision-making at all levels and at all times. Following through on the concept will attract private resources — and perhaps state and federal money.

This also means changes to the planning process are necessary. The East West Gateway Council of Governments should not do the transportation planning for St. Louis. It does a great job in what they do, but its mission is to represent the region. The city needs to get its house in order; this cannot be accomplished with piecemeal solutions focused on the needs of the region and not the city.

It is essential that urban planning be integrated with transportation planning (including walking and bicycles). This, along with citizen involvement, is important for optimum results. Anything less will result in a mediocre product that will block prosperity in the coming decades.

Beyond the immediate and obvious quality-of-life issues, this approach also addresses underlying structural problems of global warming, oil consumption and associated problems of war and sustainability. A walking city also contributes positively to the health care of the larger public.

Keep your car, just change the ideas.

Greg Michaud is a South St. Louis resident.