Walkable neighborhoods offer surprising benefits to the environment, our health, our finances, and our communities.
Environment: Cars are a leading cause of climate change. Your feet are zero-pollution transportation machines.
Health: The average resident of a walkable neighborhood weighs 7 pounds less than someone who lives in a sprawling neighborhood.
Finances: One point of Walk Score is worth up to $3,000 of value for your property.
Communities: Studies show that for every 10 minutes a person spends in a daily car commute, time spent in community activities falls by 10%.
What makes a neighborhood walkable?
* A center: Walkable neighborhoods have a center, whether it’s a main street or a public space.
* People: Enough people for businesses to flourish and for public transit to run frequently.
* Mixed income, mixed use: Affordable housing located near businesses.
* Parks and public space: Plenty of public places to gather and play.
* Pedestrian design: Buildings are close to the street, parking lots are relegated to the back.
* Schools and workplaces: Close enough that most residents can walk from their homes.
* Complete streets: Streets designed for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit.
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