The shortcomings of Walk Score are becoming more apparent as planners look to use it as a measure of walkability, says The Conservative Planner.
The Conservative Planner says that Walk Score has bugs that become apparent when you look at the walkability ratings for Atlanta:
"Just because Walk Score says it can provide a walkability score for any address doesn't mean you should believe it. Atlanta's lack of walkability is legendary and Buford Highway, a motorist's dream when it comes to wide, fast surface streets, was profiled on the PBS series 'Blueprint America'. Our friends at Walk Score have some explaining to do. The intersection of Buford Highway and Oak Shadow Drive NE (Atlanta GA 30345 if you're interested in seeing for yourself) is said by Walk Score to be '74 – Very Walkable'. If I'm an engineer at the Georgia DOT who doesn't want to improve the street, I'm pointing to Walk Score and telling the planners that Buford Highway is just what Walk Score says: Very Walkable."
Read the full story: Walk Score Can't Walk the Walk
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
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Los Angeles just elected an urban planner as its mayor
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Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax survives legal challenge
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Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
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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
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Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
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Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority