Why are sidewalks important in a community? After visiting nine towns without sidewalks, this post explores the real impact of walkable infrastructure on safety, public health, and neighborhood connection. From the legal complexities of sidewalk maintenance responsibility to innovative funding solutions like shared repair programs, it examines who is responsible for sidewalk repairs and why that system often creates tension for homeowners. Drawing on insights from architect-led design thinking and legal scholar Michael Pollack’s forthcoming book, Sidewalk Nation: The Life and Law of America's Most Overlooked Resource, this piece makes the case that sidewalks are not just concrete paths — they are essential civic infrastructure that shape healthy, walkable communities.