Reports of the city’s death have been greatly exaggerated, according to new research from Smart Growth America.
Smart Growth America’s 2023 Foot Traffic Ahead (FTA) report firmly debunks the “death of the city” predicted during the pandemic. According to the report, “the city endures, and across most metros, grew walkable urbanism.”
The report examines changes in walkability in the nation’s 35 largest metropolitan areas, how that has impacted local housing costs, and “provides policymakers with recommendations on how to increase both the supply of and access to equitable, walkable development while safeguarding affordability.”
FTA finds that walkable urban places remain highly desirable, provide the most economic opportunity, and have a range of other benefits, but limited supply means many of these places are increasingly unaffordable for many Americans. “The major reason for the high walkable urban price premiums is the artificial constraint on walkable urban land availability,” the report states, blaming restrictive zoning for much of the problem.
Walkable urban areas have the potential to improve community health by promoting physical activity, can reduce emissions by decreasing car use, and can advance equity by bringing access to economic opportunity. It is critical that people of all backgrounds, especially those historically disadvantaged by racist land use, housing, and lending policy, have access to walkability and all the benefits associated with it.
The report recommends that policymakers focus on increasing the supply of walkable communities, reforming outdated zoning, planning for the impacts of climate change, and protecting affordable housing.
See the source article for a link to the full report.
FULL STORY: Foot Traffic Ahead
Push and Pull: The Link Between Walkability and Affordability
The increased demand for walkable urban spaces could make them more and more exclusionary if cities don’t pursue policies to limit displacement and boost affordability.
Seven Ideas for Tackling the Housing Crisis
One expert's take on the housing crisis and which policy solutions might best counter it.
Report Finds Increasing Popularity of 'Walkable Urban Places'
The Foot Traffic Ahead 2016 report, by Smart Growth America and The George Washington University’s Center for Real Estate & Urban Analysis ranks cities based on their walkability.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service