Compact, walkable communities allow residents to walk to services, shopping, schools and jobs and can reduce traffic congestion, air pollution and improve public health.
Contact: Community Design Assistance for no cost techincal assistance and resources to help improve pedestrian safety and mobility in your community.
Elements of a walkable community
A growing body of research and many national and international and national resources now agree on a basic set of features and elements that make a walkable community. They generally include:
- Human scale design
- Denser, mixed use development near neighborhood services and transit
- A distinct urban or town center
- A variety of connected transportation options
- Unique and identifiable public spaces
- Lower speed streets
- Universal design - accessible design
- Connected, grid street pattern
Sizes and shapes of a walkable community
- Block size of 300-600 feet
- Intersection spacing of 1000 feet on arterials to 500 feet on local streets
- Extend street crossing time (2.5 ft/sec or 0.85 m/s)
- Connect dead end streets when adjacent parcels develop
- Lower speed streets (below 35 mph)
- 8 housing units per acre
Case Studies and Best Practice
Research and Resources
Technical Assistance