Making A Utah Suburb Walkable
Developers and local officials are optimistic about plans to integrate walkability into a proposed mixed use development in suburban Salt Lake City, Utah.
"Remember when folks used to walk to the grocery, hairdresser, coffee shop, even the office? Ambling of that sort has all but disappeared, but urban planners hope to bring it back."
"This 'neo-traditional' trend to resurrect the more-pedestrian lifestyle evokes more than a hint of nostalgia, Brodsky acknowledged. But it also makes good sense, he added."
"'High-density, mixed-use construction translates into effective use of resources,' developer Michael Brodsky said. 'You're not consuming large tracts of ground.'"
"With the central Salt Lake Valley approaching build-out, available land has grown scarce. Brodsky's company will be the first to break ground - this spring - in Fireclay."
"The $130 million 'Birkhill Station at Fireclay,' to be built in several phases over 30 of the 97 acres, will feature 400 residential units and 200,000 square feet of commercial space, parks and other amenities."
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- When TODs Fail to Catch On - Apr 13, 2011
- Utah Takes Possession of Half-Built Development - Jul 17, 2010
- Salt Lake Suburb Pins Hopes On Downtown Revival - Apr 14, 2010
- The Mormon Church Backs Mixed-Use Project - Feb 08, 2010
- Time to Think of Public Health in Planning - Dec 08, 2009
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Hooray for Walkable Cities
To see walkability of a city making a comeback as a planning priority is something that is definitely welcomed and should be applauded. It is unfortunate that walkability is a thing of the past. In a country such as the United States, where we are so spoiled with the vast amount of open land we have to build on, huge lots and huge houses become the norm for desirability. Much of the “evils” of present day (gas guzzling SUVs, horrid gas prices, traffic, etc.) can be attributed to the dire need for an automobile in the United States.
Walkability of a city is a positive development for the general population’s health and mental well being. By being less dependent on automobiles, we can greatly improve our lives. Kudos are definitely due for planners and developers who are taking steps toward attaining a more walkable America. Hopefully there will come a day when in all major cities, we can leave behind our automobiles to get the basic necessities of life done.