While 64% of Americans say they want walkable amenities, only 44% want to see apartments in their neighborhoods.
A new survey reveals that a majority of Americans would pay a premium to live within walking distance of parks, restaurants and other amenities — but a smaller fraction support townhomes, apartments and other denser housing in their communities. As Allaire Conte explains for Realtor.com, "While 63% say small-lot single-family homes would be a good idea in their community, support falls to 51% for townhomes, duplexes, and other attached housing, 44% for rental apartments, and 40% for condos."
According to Conte, "That data may be more important than ever as the country tries to close its housing gap. If new development promises the convenience of walkability, it may have to make that trade-off unmistakable: more homes, but also more of daily life within reach."
The survey also highlights a gap between how Americans want to get around and how they actually have to do it. While 85% of respondents said they enjoy walking, 62% also said they drive because they lack other options.
Read the full story: EXCLUSIVE: Americans Want Walkable Neighborhoods—but Not Always the Housing That Creates Them
Missoula Approves Zoning Reform Emphasizing More Diverse Housing, Walkability
The city’s new zoning code, map, and development standards will guide more expansive housing options and improved walkability.
Controversial Texas housing law has 'directly facilitated' over 1,250 new homes
SB 840 allows developers to build multifamily housing by-right on lots zoned for commercial use without applying to a zoning change.
Study: Legalizing single-family home conversions could nearly double LA's new housing
Research shows that making it easier to turn single-family homes into multiple units could unlock tens of thousands of new units per year.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan
Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.
Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment
Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.
Guerilla urbanists’ DIY benches joined by sanctioned seats in Chicago
The group behind the original homemade benches said they will continue installing them across bench-less bus stops in Chicago.
Boston spent $765 million to lease battery-powered trains
The trains will serve Boston’s Fairmount Line for fifteen years.
NYC may expand key reservoir after devastating drought
The aqueduct that carries water from the reservoir to New York City has been leaking 35 million gallons of water per day since the 1990s.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
One Hundred Miles
County of Mendocino
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The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority