“The idea that sidewalks are the responsibility of homeowners is often driven by the financial realities of cash-starved jurisdictions who have far less pedestrian infrastructure than they really need, rather than a real analysis of the actual public benefit of that infrastructure,” said Mike McGinn, executive director of America Walks.

“I would love for other cities to look to this policy. I’m proud of it,” Henderson said. “I think it’s a really good framework to say, O.K., well, here you are now; you built the suburbs, you’re sprawled, you have cars everywhere, you have almost no sidewalks, it’s all pretty daunting. But look: you have to start somewhere, and you can.”