This Editorial Board for years has espoused the health benefits of sidewalks, bike trails and means to get around without automobiles.

City planners in the United States for decades following World War II designed neighborhoods as though walking was unnecessary. People would drive everywhere. As a result, we have children and families walking and playing the streets, dodging cars and somewhat encouraged to stay indoors. The design doesn’t encourage exercise. It was poor urban planning.

To their credit, Albert Lea leaders have made better decisions in this area in recent years. The fact that Blue Zones, AARP will perform a health makeover and Walkable Communities will do a walkability audit drives home this Editorial Board’s points on healthy communities.

We have called for the City Council to require all new developments in Albert Lea to have sidewalks and to leave room for future bike trails. We have pushed for kicking the cars off walker-friendly North Shore Drive. We even have called for a program to assist homeowners without sidewalks to install them.

The walkability of Albert Lea — and therefore the health of its citizens — is a key tool in attracting bright, young minds to work here. Anymore, economic development isn’t just about places to put factories. Today, it’s about a rounded picture, and that includes the quality of life the employees will need to lead happy lives. Going into the future, a healthy, vibrant, artistic and walkable community will keep Albert Lea ahead of its neighbors.

People outside of Albert Lea often see much more potential than the people who reside here. The interest in our city from Blue Zones, AARP, Walkable Communities and — let’s not forget — Artspace Projects attest to this fact.

We welcome these organizations to Albert Lea, and we urge people to welcome their feedback and vision. This is absolutely what Albert Lea needs.