The Concept of Walkability Emerges as Urban Development Trend To Watch
Somewhat surprisingly, Los Angeles has emerged as a city that is ready to embrace walkability going forward. A report titled “Foot Traffic Ahead: Ranking Walkable Urbanism in America’s Largest Metros” by the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis at George Washington University School of Business along with LOCUS: Responsible Real Estate Developers and Investors cites that projects and places with a focus on walkability are the latest development fascination.
Los Angeles is currently #18 in the “Walkable Urbanism” rankings among major cities in the United States. Other notable major metropolitan cities that are continuing to explore walkable development options include Miami, Atlanta, and Denver. The current top six most walkable cities in the US are Washington D.C., New York, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle. While only correlations, the most walkable urban metropolitan areas in the country are home to the highest percentages of college graduates over 25 years old and boast higher GDPs per capita. Causality is still to be determined.
Glendale is an example of a city in the San Fernando Valley that is becoming more walkable. Mixed-use lifestyle centers, much like The Americana at Brand on Brand Blvd., allow residents to enjoy retail and dining amenities while also offering the opportunity to experience dynamic area of cities. Brand Boulevard is akin to Ventura Boulevard and occupants of The Residences at The Americana at Brand are ideally situated to take advantage of the city’s wide array of local amenities. The development has allowed greater visibility and attention for Glendale.
Source: http://www.worldpropertychannel.com/north-america-residential-news/walkable-cities-best-walking-cities-2014-center-for-real-estate-and-urban-analysis-at-george-washington-university-school-of-business-walkups-8312.php