Ben Welle

Global Health & Road Safety Manager

Bio

Ben Welle is a senior associate urban and transportation planner with EMBARQ, a signature initiative of the World Resources Institute, where he works to reduce traffic fatalities, improve the environment and increase quality of life through sustainable transport and urban development. Ben’s work includes leading global research and projects, particularly in the areas of traffic safety and health; development of tools that cities can use to create cities safer, cleaner and more active by design; collaborating on sustainable transport projects and coordinating with partners from around the world. Prior to working at EMBARQ, he was assistant director of the Center for City Park Excellence at the Trust for Public Land in Washington, D.C., researching and consulting on city parks, public space, green infrastructure, active transport and related economic impact.

He has additional background in community development and positions in state government in the State of Minnesota, USA. Ben has a Master's degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Minnesota and a bachelor's degree from Hamline University, St. Paul, USA.

Blog Posts

4 Steps to Promote Safer Speeds that Save Lives
by Anna Bray Sharpin, Subha Ranjan Banerjee, Claudia Adriazola and Ben Welle - May 12, 2017
Roughly 3,400 people die in traffic crashes every day. Lowering driving speeds—through smart city design, information campaigns and more—can help.
The Need for (Safe) Speed: 4 Surprising Ways Slower Driving Creates Better Cities
by Anna Bray Sharpin, Subha Ranjan Banerjee, Claudia Adriazola and Ben Welle - May 09, 2017
Reducing driving speeds won't just save lives. It can create healthier and more economically vibrant cities.
Bigger Isn’t Always Better: Narrow Traffic Lanes Make Cities Safer
by Subha Ranjan Banerjee and Ben Welle - December 07, 2016
A long-standing belief among transportation planners and engineers is that wider traffic lanes reduce congestion and create safer streets. A growing body of research challenges this conventional wisdom.
7 Proven Principles for Designing a Safer City
by Ben Welle - July 23, 2015
More than 1.2 million people die in traffic crashes every year. Ben Welle explains an undervalued approach for saving these lives—good urban design.
Designing Safer Cities for Children
by Claudia Adriazola, Wei Li and Ben Welle - May 08, 2015
The usual discussion around children’s traffic safety is a behavioral one, focusing on issues like helmet- and seat-belt laws. What's really needed is a "safe system" approach that actually makes cities safer by design.
A Safe City is a Just City
by Ben Welle and Robin King - April 04, 2014
Improving developing cities’ traffic safety is a critical task for ensuring that these growing urban centers become safe, equitable places to live. A key part of achieving this safety? Sustainable urban design.

The connection between safety and justice is a major theme of the upcoming World Urban Forum (WUF7), organized by UN-HABITAT, which this year focuses on “urban equity in development—cities for life.” At the event, EMBARQ experts will host a Cities Safer by Design for All networking session. The event will convene key experts and explore ways that urban design can improve safety—and in turn, justice—in developing cities around the world.

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Ben Welle

4 Steps to Promote Safer Speeds that Save Lives

The Need for (Safe) Speed: 4 Surprising Ways Slower Driving Creates Better Cities

Bigger Isn’t Always Better: Narrow Traffic Lanes Make Cities Safer

7 Proven Principles for Designing a Safer City

Designing Safer Cities for Children

A Safe City is a Just City

Cities Safer by Design

Urban Design Recommendations for Healthier Cities, Fewer Traffic Fatalities

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Making Big Ideas Happen™

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You are here

4 Steps to Promote Safer Speeds that Save Lives

The Need for (Safe) Speed: 4 Surprising Ways Slower Driving Creates Better Cities

Bigger Isn’t Always Better: Narrow Traffic Lanes Make Cities Safer

7 Proven Principles for Designing a Safer City

Designing Safer Cities for Children

A Safe City is a Just City

Cities Safer by Design

Urban Design Recommendations for Healthier Cities, Fewer Traffic Fatalities

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