what makes a walkable community better for families?

Living in a walkable community may have once been a “nice to have” for many families searching for a new home. We’d be happy to help you make the best choice. The guide compares the benefits of purchasing a new home versus an older home, describes the construction process, provides tips for selecting new home options and much more! Campaigns such as Atlanta, Georgia's safe routes to transit are providing safer access to transit stops for pedestrians. Need help figuring out which townhome and walkable community is best for you and your family? They also have a stronger sense of place, a sense of belonging and inclusivity. These towns, he said "are becoming cities in their o… The question remains whether the families creating growth in non-walkable communities is by choice. What does a low maintenance, lock-and-go lifestyle mean? People-first places lead to more social interaction, livelier communities and increased tourism. There have always been mixed-use developments, starting with a shop owner who lived in or rented the space above his establishment, he said. As one of the world's longest studies, the. Living in a walkable community, aside from its obvious benefits to one’s health, also offers plenty of advantages to communities, to the environment, and to people’s well-being. This leads to fewer vehicles on the road, less traffic congestion (not to mention lower stress levels for motorists) and, of course, lower CO2 emissions and cleaner air for everyone. Performed worse on baseline cognition tests, Were more likely to see declines in attention and verbal memory, study conducted by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Life Science Division, Researchers have found that when people have a stronger sense of community, they tend to feel more connected.   Most of my neighbors are out walking around at various times. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership champions what they call “crime prevention through environmental design” (CPTED). In a walkable or complete community, residents have the option to leave the car at home and walk, bike or take public transit to get to work, run errands or socialize with friends. If you need help deciding which new townhome or EYA neighborhood is right for you, send us a quick message. The Mid-America Regional Council, Pedestrians are the highest priority throughout the community, Roads are specifically designed to accommodate pedestrians, with their safety and comfort in mind, Speed limits are set with a focus on the pedestrian activities that often take place in a given area, In some instances, automobiles are eliminated entirely to encourage alternate modes of travel, To measure a community’s walkability, many residents, realtors, businesses, and local governments use the, While enjoying increased popularity, walkable communities are not a new concept. However, he added that more mixed-use developments are springing up in cities and in "established towns." Originally they formed in response to people’s needs and interests, and were developed, Today, homebuyers increasingly seek an ideal mix of walkability with. Yes, the strategy behind a community plan can actually influence potential criminals. I don’t propose we stop seeking new ways to make our lives better. While enjoying increased popularity, walkable communities are not a new concept. However, with a spectrum of studies proving the numerous benefits of these communities, walkable neighborhoods have become "must haves" for many. Design streets, sidewalks, and crosswalks that encourage walking for people of all ages and abilities. When areas are planned with walkability in mind, people are more likely to leave their cars at home by choice. Walking amidst the arts appears to heighten imaginative openness to new social and political possibilities, energizing [social movement organizations] activity more powerfully than walking on its own. They’re designed to be for everyone, at every stage of life: active seniors, young professionals and families with children all benefit from living in a place that has been designed around the needs of people rather than cars. What all Christenson projects have in common—whether they're for active adults or active seniors—are the features that are associated with walkable, complete communities, like pedestrian paths, easy access to shops and services, and a sense of place that comes from being able to pass your neighbours on the street and say "Hello!". In its simplest terms, walkability can be defined as the extent to which an area or built environment is pedestrian friendly. “A walkable community is one where it is easy and safe to walk to goods and services (i.e., grocery stores, post offices, health clinics, etc.). Slower traffic speeds encourage drivers to be more alert and aware of their surroundings. A walkable neighborhood is often a safer neighborhood. 2. To help you determine if buying a new construction home is right for you, we've created a comprehensive Guide to Purchasing a New Construction Home. With lower speed limits, drivers are more likely to see pedestrians and other obstacles, thereby reducing accidents. Walking is important, but not all walking is the same, and when it occurs in locales with more arts activity, its impact on social movement organizations is greater.”. 1 Cities with good public transit and … Do you want a healthier, safer, and possibly happier lifestyle? Pushing? what they call “crime prevention through environmental design” (CPTED). Walkable communities encourage pedestrian activity, expand transportation options, and have safe and inviting streets … There is a range of transportation and housing options available; services and amenities are within easy walking distance; and safe walking paths and bike lanes make it enjoyable to get around on foot (or two wheels). The researchers found that those living in less-connected neighborhoods, such as suburban developments with long winding roads: Another study conducted by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Life Science Division found that walking briskly has some of the same benefits as running. Walkable communities aren’t just for young adults either. any community can plan, design, construct and maintain. For decades, Christenson Group of Companies has been a leader in the development of intelligently designed, social communities in Alberta. We are excited to announce that our brand new onsite sales center is now open for in-person appointments at The Townhomes at Reston Station! reasons why people want a truly walkable neighborhood. Priced from the upper $700s, with elevator townhomes from the upper $900s, the townhomes are located just steps to Metro’s Wiehle-Reston East Station, new shopping & dining, and the ever-popular W&OD Trail. Walkable communities are celebrated destinations that create a sense of place and promote economic development. ½ to 1 mile), residents have the option of walking to and from destinations rather than depending on a … Privacy Policy This is well understood. Walkability offers surprising benefits to our health, the environment, our finances, and our communities. When transportation is limited to cars, that means many people are shut out of the transportation system: the elderly, the disabled, and children. Paul Ryan. The Mid-America Regional Council outlined many of these differentiators for local governments looking to increase their walkable communities: To measure a community’s walkability, many residents, realtors, businesses, and local governments use the walk score methodology. A study by Carnegie Mellon student Brian Knudsen of Urban Innovation Analysis, Terry Clark of the University of Chicago, and Daniel Silver of the University of Toronto examines the connection between walkability, creativity, and civic engagement in the U.S., Canada, and France. Within the community, are you walking somewhere? Walkable cities and communities aren’t just better for the environment, the economy and our physical health. The concept of walkable communities isn’t new, but as awareness and concern about environmental pollution, urban sprawl, traffic safety and lack of physical activity has grown, so has the research into walkability and its benefits. Still, you may wonder, “How is a walkable community safer from crime?”. Neighborhoods where plenty of families live are a real draw for buyers with children. So forget planned runs – if you live in a walkable community and pick up the pace, you could even reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Like other forms of exercise, walking burns calories, decreases stress and releases feel-good endorphins that can lift your mood. All done from the comfort of your home. Whether you plain old loathe being behind the wheel or just the general stresses of car ownership (wait, we need another oil change? Read on to learn three reasons why people want a truly walkable neighborhood. Coretta Scott King. Walkable communities provide residents with both economic and health benefits. Because residents were able to save on transportation costs (driving and maintaining a car is expensive) and had better access to employment, both of which offset the higher costs of housing. Overall, that makes for a safer neighborhood to live in. Walkable communities are often touted as being easier to get around and fostering a greater sense of community. Concerning neighborhoods and social relations, the authors observe that many studies find that compact and walkable neighborhoods exhibit higher levels of social interaction, a "substantially greater sense of community," stronger place attachment, and higher levels of trust than do conventional sprawling subdivisions. All rights reserved, The Safe Routes to School National Partnership champions, The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Furthermore, research from the University of Kansas’ Alzheimer’s Disease Center, GUIDE: Everything You Need to Know About Purchasing a New Construction Home. Living in a walkable community has become a privilege afforded to very few people — mostly the wealthy. Walkable Communities Promote Health. Walkable communities are designed with pedestrians in mind, which makes these neighborhoods inherently safer. Need help figuring out which townhome and walkable community is best for you and your family? A lot has changed in 2020, including how people shop for and purchase homes. The Walkable and Livable Communities (WALC) Institute is a non-profit organization determined to help create connected communities that support active and healthy living through advocating better built environments that are more walkable and livable for all residents. Furthermore, research from the University of Kansas’ Alzheimer’s Disease Center found that walkable neighborhoods may even improve citizens’ mental health. Walkable neighborhoods make getting around far more affordable for every member of a community, with a particularly significant impact on low-income populations. In Part 2 of this blog post, we’ll look at what goes into making communities more walkable. "There is more of it, or at least there's more of it described as mixed-use," said Michael Breclaw, with FitzGerald Associates Architectsin Chicago. There are several ways to make a community more walkable: Sidewalks can be implemented where there are "sidewalk gaps", with priority to areas where walking is encouraged, such as around schools or transit stations. There are more opportunities for children to play, socialize, and make lifelong friends. As one of the world's longest studies, the Harvard Study of Adult Development, indicates that quality relationships are the greatest factor to influence your sense of happiness. The data showed that metropolitan areas with the highest levels of walkable urbanism were also the most educated and wealthy. Walkable communities also tend to encourage more social interaction among residents, fostering closer, stronger relationships and engagement. A 2016 U.S. study from George Washington University found that walkable urban places in all 30 of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. were gaining market share over their drivable suburban competition and showing much higher rental premiums. In Part Two of this blog, we’ll look at what goes into making communities more walkable. modern design and conveniences found in a new construction home. With increased pedestrian activity, neighborhoods create safety in numbers, heightened awareness, and familiarity that help to build a stronger sense of community. They enhance one another. But if we fail to accommodate those on foot, we ignore an essential part of what makes … If streets, sidewalks, and parks are active with pedestrians, well-used and well-lit at night, criminals are far less likely to strike. References to "EYA" refer to EYA, LLC. 8. We can help you choose your best option. All rights reserved The 10 community characteristics that most influenced community attachment (in order of importance) were: social offerings, openness, aesthetics, education, and basic services. Walkable Communities are Climate-Friendly. Walking amidst the arts appears to heighten imaginative openness to new social and political possibilities, energizing [social movement organizations] activity more powerfully than walking on its own. This is why residential developers and local civic leaders are designing more of these neighborhoods. Prepared by the American Planning Association's Planning and Community Health Research Center as part of a collaborative project with Cornell University Linking Economic Development and Child Care Project, with funding from the W.K. Carpooling groups and other children’s programs are much more accessible when the neighborhood is overflowing with kiddos. The researchers compared people who lived in areas that required fewer turns to navigate the streets to those living in communities with more conventional intersecting paths and streets.They defined the latter phenomenon as “higher connectivity.”. It is often said that cities that make life easier for pedestrians are the best places to live. People living in more walkable communities have been found to have a decreased risk of heart attacks. Compact, walkable neighborhoods allow families to make fewer trips in their cars, travel less to meet their everyday needs – and thus reduce their contribution to global warming. International cancer researchers even recommend that new developments, like residential communities, be designed to encourage walking because walking contributes to a reduction of cancer in the population. A pedestrian-friendly sidewalk and street design results in reduced traffic speeds, encourages residents to be more active outside their homes, and increases a neighborhood engagement that is believed to reduce crime. Who wouldn’t. But banning cars from certain areas doesn’t automatically increase the walkability of an area—infrastructure that encourages walking, cycling and the use of mass transit needs to be put in place too. | Could living in a walkable neighborhood help young residents improve their socioeconomic status? What Makes Walkable Communities Work For new towns, old suburbs and central cities, lessons include slowing traffic, making walking interesting and … There are numerous studies proving that walkable communities lead to healthier lifestyles. Every successful individual knows that his or her achievement depends on a community of persons working together. They enhance one another. Features, finishes, and prices are subject to change without notice. View our Privacy Policy. For one thing, the increase in sidewalk traffic in more walkable neighborhoods helps stores thrive. Accessibility. The walkable city (or town) has survived for thousands of years, allowing humans to thrive alongside one another and participate in a shared story. There are numerous studies proving that … Be among the first to tour the site, view the scale model, take 3D virtual walk-throughs of the homes, and more. The power of community to create health is far greater than any physician, clinic or hospital. The transportation, land use, and community design sector can promote walking and walkable communities through the following strategies: Design and maintain streets and sidewalks so that walking is safe and easy. Using an assistive device? Walking is important, but not all walking is the same, and when it occurs in locales with more arts activity, its impact on social movement organizations, Walkable communities also tend to encourage more social interaction among residents, fostering closer, stronger relationships and engagement. If you dream of being able to walk out your door to shops, restaurants and entertainment, doing less yard work and having less home maintenance, then discover how living in a lock-and-go home could transform your life. Copyright © 2021 Christenson Group of Companies. Today, homebuyers increasingly seek an ideal mix of walkability with modern design and conveniences found in a new construction home. Biking? Education access and quality remains a significant issue in most of our major cities, as does the provision of adequate sized and priced housing that meets the demands of families. This reality is unfortunate; as someone who has lived in … Researchers examined the economic outcomes of more than three million Americans, and they found that people who grew up in walkable areas were more likely to be able to move from the bottom … Walkable communities locate a mix of uses, such as homes, shops, and schools, close to each other. is chock-full of charming neighborhoods, trendy restaurants and loads of amenities, but, with a median sale price of $1.25 million, it also happens to be the most expensive place to live in the nation. In fact, many communities seek out walkable development as an economic driver. Cars and trucks are the Northwest’s single largest source of climate-warming emissions. How? Video: What does a lock-and-go lifestyle mean for you? 9. If streets, sidewalks, and parks are active with pedestrians, well-used and well-lit at night, criminals are far less likely to strike. Both help lower your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. The growing concern over global climate change has urban planners and policy makers around the world working on ways to reduce vehicle traffic in cities. Imagery is for illustrative purposes only. For our EYA homeowners, it means having more time to do the things you love. This means that a wide range of services must be accessible on foot. Most city centers grew around features including a mix of residential and business/commercial properties, blended with services, retail, schools, places of worship, and recreation. Walkability with modern design and conveniences found in a sprawling neighborhood our finances, and diabetes by: homes., surprisingly, these walkable urban areas were found to be more and. ; there are numerous studies proving that walkable communities are Climate-Friendly encourage what makes a walkable community better for families? to be more and. Living with the established convenience of Reston a home safe, easy convenient. 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