The 30 largest cities in the U.S. are experiencing a “Doppler shift” in walkable development, according to a researcher at the George Washington University School of Business and co-author of the report, 2019 Foot Traffic Ahead report.
Dr. Tracy Loh says that even the lowest ranked metros such as Tampa and Phoenix are seeing increased market share of walkable urban development, versus sprawl. Walkable urban absorption in the largest metros is gaining market share by over twice their 2010 market share base, the study, done in partnership with Cushman & Wakefield, Smart Growth America/LOCUS, and Yardi Matrix, found.
“Denver’s appearance at number two is a direct reflection of the region reaping the dividends of more than a decade of ambitious investments in rail transit and more transit-accessible housing and office/retail, and the growth of the knowledge economy, which demands walkable urban development patterns,” according to a news release. New York City, Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, and San Francisco rounded out the top six most walkable metro regions.
“Foot Traffic Ahead shows that the future is walkable, mixed-use places,” said Calvin Gladney, president and CEO of Smart Growth America. “Metro areas have a choice to make: continue distorting the market by subsidizing an outdated form of sprawling growth that separates residents from their daily needs, cuts them off from opportunity, and costs more to serve and maintain. Or, realize the massive potential benefits of meeting the pent-up demand for walkable places—which is one of the best ways to help more residents live in places that are affordable, healthy, and prosperous.”
Related Stories
Urban Planning | Jan 10, 2018
Keys to the city: Urban planning and our climate future
Corporate interests large and small are already focused on what the impact of climate change means to their business.
Urban Planning | Jan 2, 2018
The ethics of urbanization
While we focus on designing organized and supportive architecture, much of urbanization is created through informal settlements.
Urban Planning | Dec 5, 2017
A call for urban intensification
Rather than focus on urban “densification" perhaps we should consider urban “intensification.”
Urban Planning | Dec 4, 2017
Sports ‘districts’ are popping up all over America
In downtown Minneapolis, the city’s decision about where to build the new U.S. Bank Stadium coincided with an adjacent five-block redevelopment project.
Urban Planning | Dec 4, 2017
Can you spark an urban renaissance?
Thoughtful design, architecture, and planning can accelerate and even create an urban renaissance.
Urban Planning | Nov 20, 2017
Creating safer streets: Solutions for high-crash locations
While there has been an emphasis on improving safety along corridors, it is equally important to focus on identifying potential safety issues at intersections.
Urban Planning | Nov 16, 2017
Business groups present a new vision of Downtown Houston as that city’s unavoidable hub
The plan, which took 18 months to complete, emphasizes the centrality of downtown to the metro’s eight counties.
Architects | Oct 30, 2017
City 2050: What will your city look like in 2050?
What do we think the future will look like 30 years or so from now? And what will City: 2050 be like?
Great Solutions | Oct 17, 2017
Loop NYC would reclaim 24 miles of park space from Manhattan’s street grid
A new proposal leverages driverless cars to free up almost all of Manhattan’s Park Avenue and Broadway for pedestrian paths.
Mixed-Use | Aug 2, 2017
Redevelopment of Newark’s Bears Stadium site receives team of architects
Lotus Equity Group selected Michael Green Architecture, TEN Aquitectos, Practice for Architecture and Urbanism, and Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners to work on the project.
