A subway always comes with a colorful schematic map that shows people how different places connect to each other, and how long it takes to get from one place to another. Even Tel Aviv's subway and light rail system has an attractive and easily interpreted route map, despite the fact that it is as yet unbuilt, and is not expected to function until sometime next decade. In the meantime, green groups in Tel Aviv have designed an alternative map to help people get around the city - on foot.

The Tel Aviv "Foot Metro" (a portion of which is shown below) was created to show city residents and visitors the ease with which they can get around in the city as pedestrians. The map gives pedestrians color-coded "lines" (Beach Line, Squares Line) along which to travel, which intersect at major landmarks. Travel times are also listed between the different "stations."

Tel Aviv is a compact, flat city that enjoys a mild climate during most of the year, and as such is one of the more walkable cities in Israel. Trips inside the city are apt to be quicker on foot than by car (not even counting time spent looking for a parking spot). Places which even city residents perceive as being far away from each other, due to the city's lack of legibility, are shown by the map to be within a short walk of each other.

The green groups hope that, by distributing the map to people in the city, they can convince them to leave their cars at home (or in a parking lot) and get around the city on foot - thus lowering vehicle usage, contributing to the good health of everyone in the city, and moving the discourse about transport in Tel Aviv in a more sustainable direction.

Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:

Planning for Bikes Pays Off Big in Portland

Have Yourself a Merry Flat-Packed Christmas: The Christmas Card Edition