Ten Keys To Walkable/Livable Communities
by Dan Burden, Director, Walkable Communities,
Inc.
The following ten items are key indicators (measures) or steps
taken to achieve prosperous, walkable, healthy, livable communities.
No towns or village centers in America today exhibit all of
these measures in whole, comprehensive or complete ways. Rather,
the good towns are organic (springing from the fertile soil
of local creativity and sensibility), and they are progressing
toward true walkability and livability. These towns have crystal
clear visions for the future, and they are in the process of
achieving each of these measures. Many towns with one or two
of these keys are moving forward to achieve success with most
or all other measures.
Walkable communities or neighborhoods are destinations. These places
are built with vision, patience, love, common sense, teamwork,
and openness. Walkable communities have shared commitment by
diverse groups of citizens and stakeholders; they are graced
with widely held and firmly developed sense of ownership. When
strangers encounter local residents in walkable communities
or neighborhoods, any local resident can say why the town is
good. Citizens of good towns have well-developed sense of
custodianship by a wide range of people.
These walkable communities may not be seen as good places for cars,
but they are very livable and worth finding. These towns are talked
about, celebrated and loved for their uniqueness and ability
to champion the natural environment and human spirit.
- Compact, Lively Town Center (or many compact
villages in larger towns or cities). Buildings frame
streets; block lengths are short. Merchants take pride in
their shops’ appearances. Great varieties of stores offer
local products and services. Significant housing is found
at downtown or village center sites. There is unique and
distinct personality or character to the place.
- Many Linkages to Neighborhoods (including walkways,
trails and roadways). People have choices of many routes
from their homes to the center. The most direct paths are
walking routes. All sidewalks are five feet wide, or wider,
and most are buffered from streets by planting strips, bike
lanes or on-street parking. Well-maintained sidewalks are
found on both sides of most arterial and collector roadways.
Sidewalks are cleared during winter months if necessary.
Most neighborhood streets have sidewalks on both sides. Bike
lanes are found on most principal streets. Streets with
higher volume or speeds, almost always have bike lanes. Most
streets have good ADA access to and from each block in all directions.
- Low Speed Streets (in downtown and neighborhoods
- 20-25 mph common). Most motorists behave well in the
downtown or village center, and near schools, waterfronts,
historic neighborhoods, parks and other public areas, yielding
to pedestrians. Motorists make their turns at low speed.
Few places force motorists to stop. Yield conditions are
most common.
- Neighborhood Schools and Parks. Most children
are able to walk or bicycle to school and small nearby parks.
There is limited or no busing of school children, and at
least 40% of all school trips are by foot or bicycle. Most
residents live within _ mile (preferably _ mile) of small
parks or other well-maintained and attractive public spaces.
- Public Places Packed with Children, Teenagers,
Older Adults and People with Disabilities. Many services
and facility designs support and attract many children, teens,
people with disabilities and senior citizens to most public
spaces. Public restrooms, drinking fountains and sitting
places are common in many parts of town, especially downtown.
- Convenient, Safe and Easy Street Crossings.
Downtowns and village centers have frequent, convenient,
well-designed street crossings. Pedestrians using these areas
rarely have to walk more than 150 feet from their direct
lines-of-travel to reach crossings. People crossing at intersections,
whether signalized or not, rarely wait more than 30 seconds
to start their crossings.
- Inspiring and Well-Maintained Public Streets.
Streets are attractive, balanced, colorful, with
sidewalks, planter strips, medians, (when appropriate) and
handle a diversity of needs. Many streets feature on street
parking and larger volume streets have bike lanes. Homes
and buildings are brought forward, relating to the street.
There is little or no off street parking. Sidewalks are centered
and surrounded with attractive edges, a planter strip to
the street side, and an edge or attractive transition to the
private property.
- Land Use and Transportation Mutually Beneficial.
People understand and support compact development, urban
infill, integral placement of mixed-use buildings, and mixed
income neighborhoods. The built environment is of human scale,
with attributes that invite positive interaction and compliment
the surrounding neighborhoods. Heritage buildings and places
are respected. People understand that small, local stores
help create community as well as convenience. Residents
desire and find ways to include affordable homes in most
neighborhoods. Transit connects centers of attraction with
schedules so frequent that times need not be posted. All residents
feel they have choice of travel modes to most destinations.
Most people live within walking distance - 1/2 mile (with
the majority within 1/4 mile) - of 40% of the services and
products they need on daily or weekly basis. These services
include small grocery, pharmacy, hardware, bank, "doc-in-a-box"
medical services, day care, dry cleaning, post office and
other essential services.
- Celebrated Public Space and Public Life. Streets,
plazas, parks and waterfronts are fun, festive, secure, convenient,
efficient, comfortable and welcoming places. Suitable places
exist to host parades or give public speeches; and many
people take part in community parades, festivals, outdoor
concerts and other public events. Public space is tidy,
well kept, respected and loved. Many of these favorite places
are surrounded by residential properties, with many eyes-on-the-streets
to add security and ownership of these spaces. These areas
have many places to sit. Few or no buildings have large
blank walls, and few or no open parking lots exist off-street.
Any existing parking lots have great edges and greens. Natural
beauty and quality of community environment are not only
appreciated, but celebrated, with annual awards given to best
developers, neighborhood parks, buildings, retailers, and private
placement of new park benches. Barbershop quartets, brass
bands, string quartets, small dance troupes, local theater
groups and other venues for community participation are
alive and well. People can find public places for practice,
fun and spontaneous play. The community has many "green"
streets, with trees and landscaping. The town form respects
the need for plenty of green and open space. Heritage trees
line many streets. Development practices call for street
trees and planter strips; homes are clustered to maximize
green space. Trails and passageways through natural areas
are featured in many parts of town. Landscaping is respectful
of place, often featuring native species, drought resistant
plants, colorful materials, stone treatments or other local
treats. In desert and high country areas, many methods are
used to minimize use of water and other precious resources.
- Many People Walking. Many diverse people
are walking in most areas of town. The community has no rules
against loitering. Lingering in downtowns, village centers,
schools, city hall, civic centers, waterfronts and other
public places is encouraged and celebrated. Street musicians
and entertainers are welcomed. Children rarely need to ask
parents for transportation, especially to school, parks
and downtown.
The Local Government Commission (LGC) is a nonprofit,
nonpartisan, membership organization that provides inspiration,
technical assistance, and networking to local elected officials
and other dedicated community leaders who are working to
create healthy, walkable, and resource-efficient communities.