SWODA Press Release

The Southwest Oklahoma Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SORTPO), as part of its ongoing regional transportation planning efforts and development of the Forward 45 Regional Transportation Plan, hosted Walkability Workshops in Weatherford and Duncan, Oklahoma.

The workshops featured Jeff Speck, renowned city planner, speaker, and author of Walkable City and Suburban Nation. Speck shared his expertise on creating walkable cities that promote healthy, interconnected lives. His presentation answered the critical question, “What makes a city great?” by exploring strategies to enhance walkability, improve urban design, and create vibrant, livable communities.

The workshops were held in Weatherford on October 15 and in Duncan on October 16. Local sponsors that helped with the success of the workshops were City of Weatherford,Oklahoma State Department of Health Regions District 1 & 8, Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma, Pathways to a Healthier You, First Baptist Church of Duncan and City of Duncan.

The Walkability Workshops are one of many steps in SORTPO’s efforts to develop a comprehensive regional transportation plan for Southwest Oklahoma. These regional planning initiatives aim to address the unique needs of the area, from walkability improvements to tackling transportation barriers in rural communities.

About SORTPO:SORTPO, a program under SWODA (South Western Oklahoma Development Authority), leads transportation planning efforts across a 16-county region. Its mission is to foster sustainable development and improve regional connectivity for residents and businesses alike. Go to www.Forward45.com to view the current planning process.

For more information about this workshop or SORTPO’s regional transportation planning efforts, please contact Julie Sanders at julie@swoda.org or 580-562-5010.