Walkable communities are more sustainable for our bodies, our wallets, and our world. Walkable communities are also where we are drawn to live, work and play. The real estate assessment data tells the same story. We pay more to live in walkable communities because these communities are more desirable, have more amenities in a close proximity, and build a sense of community. The added benefit is that walkable communities are better for our bodies, our pocketbooks and the environment.
Our Bodies – The Health Benefits of Walkable Communities
Doctors are prescribing walking as a treatment for diabetes, heart conditions, depression, and even preventative care for certain cancers. The numbers are staggering. As little as 25 minutes of walking each day can add 7 years to your life span according to a 2015 study by the European Society of Cardiology congress. Walking is also linked to 15% reduction in high blood pressure and a 10% reduction in diabetes. The ability to walk to schools or parks can also curb childhood obesity. A walking lifestyle can reduce the risk of heart disease by 30%. The health benefits are overwhelmingly pro-walking. But that is not the only factor in determining whether we walk or not. Our environment plays a large role as well. The presence of sidewalks, connectivity, and a walking culture all factor into whether we walk for transportation, leisure or exercise.
On the flip side is NOT walking. Every hour each day spent in a car is linked to a 6% increase in likelihood of obesity.
Our Wallets – The Economic Benefits of Walkable Communities
In real estate, be it rental or ownership, the old adage remains true: location, location, location. Consumers pay a premium for urban walkable communities. While the buy-in is high, there are also consumer benefits to the newly purchased density. According to the Brookings Institute, residents of more walkable neighborhoods in metropolitan Washington DC see a 3% savings in transportation costs compared to their less-walkable counterparts. There are also fewer cars per household in walkable communities. Homeowners and landowners see a definite payoff—every 1 point increase from Walk Score translates to $600-$3,000 increase in home value.
From the municipal perspective, there is quantifiable economic advantage to dedicating land for dense, urban walkable communities. There is an increase in tax revenue per acre for denser environments. The higher real estate values also add tax revenue to the governing municipality. Concentration of businesses, residences, and retail all add exponential tax revenue per acre. An added governing benefit to walkable communities is the concentration of municipal services leading to fewer resources needed to serve more population over a smaller area. Response times for Fire Departments or police departments can remain high if the areas covered are smaller, even if the populations increase. Density also affords efficiency of utility services. Fewer utility lines built at larger scales to service more people. The economy of scale dramatically improves the bottom line for municipalities.
Our World – The Environmental Benefits of Walkable Communities
In some ways it’s easily understood—walking instead of driving reduces individual carbon footprint. The full impact is much larger. If a single person commits to walking for transportation, they will see a reduction in their personal carbon footprint. If a city commits to walking and public infrastructure, they not only see a reduction in carbon emissions, but also an improvement in land use that further benefits a walkable community. Fewer cars on the road means fewer parking spaces upon arrival. This leaves more room for public use and higher density. The higher density begets more walking. As the proximity of different zones—shopping, residences, education and offices—come together they make transit lengths shorter and the ability to walk more attainable. This density translates into efficient consumption of energy and raw materials per capita.
Walkable communities benefit everyone. They are a solution for aging in place, childhood obesity and vital for a building a sense of community. While there is a common belief that the millennial generation is the driving force behind the desire for walkable communities, baby boomers are a strong demographic purchasing homes in walkable urban centers. As our population shifts to denser urban environments we must commit to making those places walkable and memorable places of shared community.
About the Author:
Raedun de Alba, AIA, NCARB: I found my passion for walking as an element of place-making and designing cities for people. I am an architect in the metro-DC area and strive to design buildings and environments that are first and foremost for people.
Read Raedun’s earlier blog post, How Walking Builds Community, HERE!
I walk and use public transportation here in Houston, Texas almost every day. I rarely drive anymore. So I like the concept of walkable communities.
However, a friend of mine and I got into a debate recently about the effects of increased urban density on poor people. The argument concerns a downside of renewed urbanization, i.e., how gentrification of urban neighborhoods displaces poor people — especially people of color. And so I have to question the author’s statement that, “Walkable communities benefit everyone.”
If the author reads this comment, I’d appreciate a response. Thanks.
Thank you, Richard. This is absolutely a current problem in our country, and has been for decades. The example that comes to mind is the Hill District of Pittsburgh, where a thriving black community was displaced in favor of a stadium. That’s an example of a walkable urban community being taken away from the community itself. The stadium did not add to walkability and to this day the community and economy of the Hill District have not recovered. But there are many examples of gentrification and displacement of existing urban communities in favor of wealthy urbanism.
My statement of “Walkable communities benefit everyone” is to say that people of all ages, abilities, and socio-economic status can benefit from living in a community that is walkable rather than drivable. This is not to say that as we are currently building, all people can afford to live in a walkable community, nor that we should replace our existing, thriving urban communities that are walkable with higher priced, luxury places to live, work and play. Unfortunately, that is happening.
So what can we do?
HUD and government agencies at local and state levels are actively working to keep and add low-income and workforce housing. Though, if memory serves, these are the same agencies that have classified neighborhoods as blighted in order to raze them. Hopefully we are a long way from that.
One thing we can do is to listen. That’s something the 11th St Bridge Park did with the historically black neighborhood of Anacostia outside DC. Before imposing an urban renewal project on the neighborhood, the planners engaged with the neighborhood. This project will still increase the cost of land, increase the rent prices and price many long term residents out of the neighborhood, but the goal of the project is to keep the current residents in the neighborhood and increase local business ownership. It will certainly be a model to follow if it can maintain the current make-up of the neighborhood and help the neighborhood through local jobs, housing assistance, or whatever the neighborhood needs. The act of listening should continue throughout the project, which is the goal with this example, and not end after the green light to build.
Do you have more ideas for what we can do? I’d love to hear them!