What Happened?
A recent study analyzed housing data and survey results in five municipalities including Boise to determine what housing options are becoming more popular in the post-recession market. The survey revealed new residents would pay about 12.5 percent more to live in an area that is within walking distance to important amenities such as schools, parks and restaurants.
The Goal
The results of the study indicate a shift in residential preferences toward housing options that are close to walker-friendly community designs. In the study, Boise had the fewest walkable communities compared to Teton Valley, Idaho; Carbondale, Eagle and Buena Vista, Colorado, and Bozeman, Montana. According to the research, homes in the most walker-friendly neighborhoods of Boise sold for 45 percent more than the average home within city limits in the past 10 years, which suggests a high demand for more pedestrian amenities and community designs.
The Sonoran Institute researchers revealed demand for walkable neighborhoods and homes greatly outweighed what is available to Boise residents currently. Many citizens are willing to sacrifice other amenities such as square footage or lot size to afford a home in a walkable area.
Boise is now working to implement more compact community centers that cater to a walking population. The city is considering establishing multiuse blocks that offer underground parking, street-level storefronts and apartments or condominiums above to attract new residents. New designs include more form-base zoning rather than archaic zoning that separates commercial and residential infrastructure.
Changing Preferences
Clark Anderson, Program Director for the Sonoran Institute in Colorado, explained new trends in demographics and economics are impacting the shift in consumer preferences. Residents are interested in living in areas surrounded by amenities rather than isolated in a cluster of homes. Being closer to stores and other resources reduces time spent in cars and shortens commutes to work. Demand is shifting away from typical suburban layouts, in favor of a more urban design. The study found:
- 90 percent of respondents find the ability to walk to other things in the community is important
- 62 percent of homebuyers would opt for an attached housing unit to live near a downtown center, rather than an isolated single family home
- 60 percent of respondents felt there were few options available to them in the cities studied that fit their preferences and price range
The New West
The Sonoran Institute argues Western states are facing a changing economy, and must take advantage of available resources to meet new demands. Increase in population and changes in land use are impacting Western communities, as these states have open space and protected public land available. Many communities in a state of change are using the land to support green sustainability initiatives that support public agencies as well as spur private sector job growth. With these investments in green technology, municipalities must stay abreast of the latest land, water, energy and climate policy changes or adjustments needed to keep pace with new innovations.
Changes In Landscape
Gov1 has reported on other major changes to community planning such as greater emphasis on bicyclist amenities and relaxed regulations for urban farming initiatives.