Non-motorized modes of transportation have been in the spotlight in sustainable circles lately and what better way to promote health, equity and decrease greenhouse gases all at the same time?
Many not only make it a priority to walk, but also choose to live in walkable areas. Deciding how walkable an area is just got easier with a new website that will calculate a score for any address in the United States. This walkability score is assigned based on how many amenities such as grocery stores, schools, restaurants, movie theaters, etc, are less than a mile away. The closer the nearest facility in each category is, the higher the score. If the closest amenity in a category is located more than a mile away, that category receives a zero. The idea of course, is that if certain shops or recreational areas are close, people will be more likely (or at least will have the potential) to walk to them than if the neighborhood is purely residential for miles and miles.
Besides the obvious health and environmental benefits, the website also cites stronger local businesses, increased social capital and better transportation options as welcome side effects of walkable neighborhoods. A walkable neighborhood encourages people to socialize and frequent local enterprises, strengthening the character of the neighborhood.
The system still has some pitfalls: for example the distances calculated are based on 'as the crow flies' calculations, not actual walking distances. The presence or absence of sidewalks is not taken into account, and if there are bodies of water in the way the website joking suggests that you swim across. But in general, the website's calculations seem to be fairly accurate and enlightening and might even help people choose where to locate. Apparently, even real estate agents use the walkability score to advertise certain houses and neighborhoods!
Not only that, but the website also has maps of the best and worst neighborhoods for walking, a checklist for what makes a neighborhood walkable (hint: high density, lots of mixed use, and grid-like streets, among other things) and a description of “Complete Streets,” which are designed to encourage walking. Not surprisingly, the top 9 "Walker's Paradise" neighborhoods are dominated heavily by New York and then San Francisco, with a Kansas City neighborhood coming in at #10.
Find out your score at http://www.walkscore.com/
Many not only make it a priority to walk, but also choose to live in walkable areas. Deciding how walkable an area is just got easier with a new website that will calculate a score for any address in the United States. This walkability score is assigned based on how many amenities such as grocery stores, schools, restaurants, movie theaters, etc, are less than a mile away. The closer the nearest facility in each category is, the higher the score. If the closest amenity in a category is located more than a mile away, that category receives a zero. The idea of course, is that if certain shops or recreational areas are close, people will be more likely (or at least will have the potential) to walk to them than if the neighborhood is purely residential for miles and miles.
Besides the obvious health and environmental benefits, the website also cites stronger local businesses, increased social capital and better transportation options as welcome side effects of walkable neighborhoods. A walkable neighborhood encourages people to socialize and frequent local enterprises, strengthening the character of the neighborhood.
The system still has some pitfalls: for example the distances calculated are based on 'as the crow flies' calculations, not actual walking distances. The presence or absence of sidewalks is not taken into account, and if there are bodies of water in the way the website joking suggests that you swim across. But in general, the website's calculations seem to be fairly accurate and enlightening and might even help people choose where to locate. Apparently, even real estate agents use the walkability score to advertise certain houses and neighborhoods!
Not only that, but the website also has maps of the best and worst neighborhoods for walking, a checklist for what makes a neighborhood walkable (hint: high density, lots of mixed use, and grid-like streets, among other things) and a description of “Complete Streets,” which are designed to encourage walking. Not surprisingly, the top 9 "Walker's Paradise" neighborhoods are dominated heavily by New York and then San Francisco, with a Kansas City neighborhood coming in at #10.
Find out your score at http://www.walkscore.com/
-Daria Khramtsova, Research & Communications Intern, UNC Sustainability Office
