[originaltext] Walking is the oldest way of getting around—and still one of

Walking is the oldest way of getting around—and still one of the most important. For short distances, for exercise, or just for fun, walking is much better than driving or riding. But in many cities today, walking can also be dangerous. Cars and trucks pass much too close to pedestrians, and there are frequent accidents.
    A man from Brisbane, Australia, named David Engwicht wants to do something about this.[19]His book Reclaiming Our Cities and Towns has a simple message: We need to take back our streets and make them better for walking.
    In the past, Engwicht says, streets belonged to everybody. Now, however, streets are designed only for cars and trucks. People stay inside to get away from the noise and dangerous traffic, and lose contact with their neighbors. Engwicht believes that people need to take back their streets.
    This process is happening already in cities around the world.[20]Neighbors in the city of Delft, in the Netherlands, took action against dangerous traffic on their street. They put old couches, tables, and other furniture in the street. Cars could still pass. But they had to drive very slowly. When the police arrived, they saw that these illegal actions were actually making the streets safer. Soon city officials started planning ways to make cars slow down and "calm" the traffic.
    Engwicht travels round the world, helping people think differently about pedestrians, streets, and neighborhoods. Besides his books and articles, he gives many speeches. He has worked in neighborhoods from Honolulu to Scotland.[21]Engwicht says we should think about our streets as our "outdoor living room". Calming the traffic is just the beginning. In the future, streets will be safe places for children again, and walking will be more practical—and more fun.
19. What idea does David’s book Reclaiming Our Cities and Towns convey?
20. What did the neighbors in Delft do to combat dangerous traffic?
21. What does Engwicht say about the streets in the future?