Walkability
Walkability refers to the design and accessibility of neighborhoods that support walking as a primary mode of transportation. It emphasizes the ability of residents to easily walk from their homes to various destinations, such as shops, parks, and public transport. Urban planners typically assess walkability using the "five Ds": density, diversity, design, destination accessibility, and distance to transit. The trend towards creating walkable communities gained momentum in the late twentieth century, driven by a growing interest in urban living among younger populations.
Walkable neighborhoods not only enhance convenience but also foster public health by encouraging physical activity, thereby reducing the risk of chronic diseases. The integration of green spaces and thoughtful urban design contributes to the overall appeal of these environments, making them safer and more desirable places to live. Additionally, walkability aligns with sustainability efforts, as it can reduce reliance on motor vehicles, lower carbon emissions, and promote the use of public transportation. Cities worldwide, from Copenhagen to Detroit, are increasingly recognizing the importance of walkable infrastructure to attract residents and businesses while enhancing the quality of life for all community members.
Walkability
Walkability is the extent to which neighborhoods have been designed to support walking. It refers to the ability of citizens in a neighborhood to walk from their homes to any of a variety of destinations. According to a Columbia University study, urban planners measure walkability with factors known as the "five Ds": "density, diversity, design, destination accessibility, and distance to transit." Properly designed, a walkable neighborhood can benefit all residents, including those with disabilities.
Beginning in the latter part of the twentieth century, cities have been designing increasingly walkable communities. City officials have tried to meet the demands of people who are interested in centralized urban cores by introducing neighborhoods that are more walkable. These areas have become popular with young professionals who have increasingly moved to urban centers.
Nineteenth-century American author Henry David Thoreau wrote, "An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day." He was an avid walker, claiming to wander through the woods near his New England home for four hours a day. While most people in the modern world cannot afford the luxury of such long walks, accessibility to walkable areas in neighborhoods has numerous benefits.
Background
The term "walkability" encompasses the community concepts of public health, accessible transportation, and sustainable environments. Urban planners assess these three concerns along with the "five D’s" to create walkable communities where residents have easy access to walking paths, public transportation facilities, and shopping while preserving the natural integrity of the environment. Studies have shown that walkable communities are safer than those that are less walkable, making them more desirable to live in.
The way in which city planners design walkable neighborhoods influences the residents’ perception of these environments, so planners must design them carefully in accordance to the distinctive nature of each community. Additionally, walkability primarily accounts for easier access to shopping facilities and public transportation, but city planners also consider recreational walking.
The term "walkability" has been used by advocates and city designers since the 1990s. During that time it was used in academic papers to describe the built environments that encompass walkable neighborhoods. Walkability is frequently connected to new urbanism, an urban design approach that emerged in the 1980s as an answer to increased suburban development. The term became widespread in academic publications in the 1990s, when young people started to return to urban areas. In the early twenty-first century, an even larger number of people have moved to urban centers.
Walkable Cities
Around the world, planners are creating walkable cities. From Copenhagen, Denmark, to Detroit, Michigan, city planners and officials are finding that creating walkable neighborhoods is a key factor in luring professionals and businesses to their cities. Young professionals, in particular, are drawn to the benefits of what a walkable environment has to offer: easy access to public transportation, shopping, parks, inviting streetscapes, and attractive, affordable housing. Ideally, not just young people but residents of all ages can benefit from walkable neighborhoods.
Density is needed to create a sustainable walking environment. A walkable neighborhood means more than just the ability for its inhabitants to get around easily. Other factors play into the definition of walkability. For instance, cultural centers and good schools are needed to create a lasting culture. Walkability also means incorporating the natural environment into the neighborhood, which necessitates planting trees and building parks. Green technology is also pivotal in creating a walkable city; green buildings, alternative energy systems, and sustainable infrastructure help to keep the air clean and lower carbon emissions. Another important factor city planners consider is limiting motor vehicles in a walkable area. Less vehicle congestion creates both a cleaner environment and accessibility for pedestrians to navigate the streets.
City planners use different tools to showcase the walkability of their cities. Independent agencies gauge the walkability of cities, and cities who fair well in such studies can advertise their findings. A real estate analysis website called Redfin.com uses Walk Score to measure the proximity of shopping and access to public transportation. The Walk Score is a popular and reputable scoring system that cities take seriously. Other institutions, such as the Pew Research Center, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and the Heritage Foundation, study and report their findings about sustainable cities and their walkability—and city officials read them and take them seriously.
Health, Transportation, and Sustainability
Studies have shown that walking is an effective way to prevent chronic diseases and premature death. Building walkable communities encourages people to walk. City planners designing walkable communities must not only ensure easy access to sidewalks and paths but also preserve the environmental integrity of the area. For instance, the design that works for a neighborhood in Brooklyn may not work in Detroit. Nonetheless, once walkable communities have been effectively designed and implemented, residents are known to use them. Walkability also means healthy living; residents who live in walkable communities are more prone to walk than to drive their car. Studies have shown that accessible streets and sidewalks with adequate lighting invite people to walk. Accessible public transportation systems entice residents to use them more frequently as well. Furthermore, installing a natural environment around a walkable neighborhood is also important, as it makes for a pleasant experience for residents. To summarize, walkability is the combination of many factors that reinforce the benefits of walking within a community or city.
Bibliography
Benfield, Kaid. "For Walkable Cities, It’s Not about the Density—It’s about Finding the Right Kind of Density." Switchboard. Natural Resources Defense Council, 3 Mar. 2013. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
Lo, Ria Hutabarat. "Walkability: What Is It?" Journal of Urbanism 2.2 (2009): 145–66. Print.
"The New American Dream: Walkable Urban Neighborhoods." Ecobuildingpulse.com. Hanley Wood Media, 21 Dec. 2012. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.
Olick, Diana. "A City’s ‘Walkability’ Drives Real Estate Values." CNBC.com. CNBC, 17 June 2014. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
Rundle, Andrew, and Kathryn Neckerman. "Neighborhood Walkability." Built Environment and Health Research Group. Columbia University, 19 May 2012. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.
Solson, Jordan. "The Ten Most Walkable Cities in America." Wired. Condé Nast, 16 Apr. 2015. Web. 25 Apr. 2015.