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Start Walking – Stop Sprawling – 5 Ways Cities Can Become More Walkable
October 6th, 2008 categories: Columbus News, Downtown, Real Estate News
“Properties in walkable communities tend to command the highest prices, anywhere from 40-200 percent more than drivable single-family housing.” — So says Christopher B. Leinberger in his new book The Option of Urbanism: Investing in a New American Dream (Island Press, 2008).
Walkability is nothing new and it’s not a new topic here in Columbus. Who doesn’t want it all right out their doorstep so long as they also have a bit of the American Dream along with at least a bit of grass While the above statistic may be accurate, I’m not sure we see it here in Columbus.
Olde Worthington and historic downtown Upper Arlington seem like they would capture a premium price for their own brand of urban walkability but, although it’s true to a point, there are other neighborhoods within those municipalities that do equally well if not better but that’s more about space.
It’s True that the Short North and German Village command a premium price because it’s all right there for you. Why haven’t Olde Towne East and Franklinton also become considerably more popular in light of movement back to the city centers (True, Franklinton’s housing stock isn’t steller but it certainly is affordable) Is it because the amenities aren’t there yet Is it the age-old chicken and egg problem of density vs. amenities downtown Columbus condos are still struggling with Probably.
Anyway, here are Christopher B. Leinberger’s five ways cities can become more walkable:
1. Change zoning. True walkable urbanism requires high popular density, which often runs counter to zoning codes. Zoning laws also traditionally have set out to keep industrial and retail away from housing, which must coexist in a mixed-use development. Communities can adopt a new planning process that involves property owners, neighbors, retailers, developers, and planning and elected officials working together in bringing these often-complex developments to reality. Some cities are developing form-based codes that are not based on use (which is often the case with traditional zoning), but on the form of the building. These form-based codes are then implemented through an overlay district, which is placed on top of traditional zoning maps.
2. Invest in transit. The best way to encourage walkable urbanism is through transportation investment. “Transportation drives development,” Leinberger says. Often times, the transportation or rail station comes first, and then the development. Leinberger points to Washington, D.C., with its commuter Metro rail line, as a good example of how transit can foster the development of close-knit communities around it. Transit connections and bus and trolley circulator systems are ideal for walkable urban development.
3. Educate the financial community. Multi-use projects tend to be more costly due to multiple-story construction and top-notch finishes, Leinberger writes. Construction budgets must be 20-40 percent higher than for standard suburban projects. Therefore, more equity needs to be invested but it will not be recovered as quickly as traditionally financed projects, which can pose problems. As such, financial institutions need to embrace the need to invest patient equity, which runs counter to traditional development financing structures by not having a defined paypack period.
4. Revive old developments. Walkable urbanism developments can bring abandoned or declining retail centers back to life, particularly using the overlay zoning mentioned above. Obsolete commercial strips that are declining in value or abandoned may be prime spots for redevelopments. But cities must demonstrate to the private development community that there’s a market for these types of developments. Use market research to determine what is feasible and what’s in demand in your community.
5. Manage and maintain walkable urban places. This type of construction can be difficult and complex to build. Therefore, the complexity in developing these communities has led to the creation of a group to help manage it—nonprofit business improvement districts. Leinberger says the BID is like the “mayor of the walkable urban place” and its main obligation is to the property owners of the development. BIDs raise operating revenues by having property owners voluntarily raise their property taxes by 5-10 percent. In return, BIDs can help maintain properties, keep them clean, safe, and help prevent noise, parking overflow, cut-through traffic, or other common problems that often plague these types of developments.
the above was taken from a Realtor.com book review. You can buy the book here.
Alexandria VA Real Estate
October 7th, 2008
Joe,
I’ve been blogging about walkability for some time now. It’s a huge issue for close-in communities around Northern Virginia where many people commute into Washington, DC for work. They simply don’t want to spend their weekends or off hours in the car. Did you know there is a walkability Web site where you can go and find out your community’s rating?
Michael