What Happened?
Research on city walkability underscores the economic and social value of a more pedestrian-friendly design while presenting best practices for improving functionality and efficiency at the local level.
U.S. Rankings
Smart Growth America and the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis at George Washington University School of Business published a report ranking the walkability of 30 metropolitan areas across the country. Researchers analyzed how much commercial development took place in walkable urban places and the impact it had on the social composition of the community.
According to the study, cities with high walkability rankings report:
- An average of 38 percent higher GDP per capita compared to low ranking cities
- Office rent at a 74 percent higher premium per square foot over drivable suburban areas
- Higher percentages of college-educated graduates over the age of 25 in the population
- Lower housing and transportation costs for residents
- Higher property tax revenues generated than in drivable locations
The top five walkable metropolitan areas in the country are:
- Washington, DC – 45 walkable areas
- New York – 66 walkable areas
- Boston – 37 walkable areas
- San Francisco – 57 walkable areas
- Chicago – 38 walkable areas
Furthermore, many cities are showing great potential for becoming a high-performing walkable community based on current projects to improve functionality. These cities include Miami, Atlanta and Denver.
Boston on the Rise
Taking a deeper look into the city of Boston, the Smart Growth researchers determined the metropolitan area is leading the country in walkable urban planning and development. Looking at efficient use of space, just 6 percent of Boston’s land houses:
- 37 percent of the region’s real estate square footage
- 40 percent of its population
- 42 percent of employment opportunities
In addition, since 2000, 70 percent of the population growth of young, educated workers has taken place in walkable urban places in the Boston region.
While these indicators show promise for Boston’s sustainable walkability performance, the report also highlighted some potential challenges the city must address:
- Proximity to transit demand Residents of walkable areas must live near public transportation networks. Boston will have to increase funding into its public transit system while balancing its ability to increase tax revenues.
- Social equity Increasing capital into walkable areas can drive up prices and diminish the neighborhoods’ affordability. To prevent pricing out certain residents, Boston must establish policies to preserve existing affordable housing options to ensure social equity.
Evaluating Walkability
A paper from the Victoria Transport Policy Institute offers local leaders with a system for evaluating the value of walkable urban areas by looking at a number of potential benefits such as:
- Mobility
- Consumer cost savings
- Reduced external costs
- Efficient land use
- Community livability
- Improved fitness and public health
- Economic development
- Support for equity objectives
Current transportation strategies in many cities fail to factor in the value of walkable designs. However, when a city embraces a more walker-friendly approach to new projects, the positive impacts spread to other community concerns. For example a more walkable community:
- Encourages walking and cycling activity, which improves public fitness and health
- Supports stronger commercial activity as shopping districts rely on foot traffic
- Sustains strong recreational activities that support related industries such as retail and tourism
- Achieve other transportation objectives including reduced traffic and parking congestion, energy consumption and pollution emissions
Furthermore, a walkable community makes mobility equally available to all residents, which helps achieve social equity and economic opportunity objectives.
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