The land of giant malls and eight-lane thoroughfares is perhaps the most surprising city to see in the 2009 Top 10. But the Albertan can-do attitude of today is hatching tangible pedestrian projects that build on past foresight.

The River Valley is the longest stretch of connected urban parkland in North America-the equivalent of 22 Central Parks strung together along the North Saskatchewan River-giving the city the most parks per capita in the country.

Today, "critical pedestrian infrastructure" is being upgraded, and the Walkability Strategy for the City is tapping all municipal departments and the community.

In the summer, Edmonton's love affair with the car abates. Eighty special events in 2007 closed roads for up to months at a time, including two entire blocks for the downtown farmers' market every Saturday in summer and several blocks around the central square for famed festival season.