Walking into Trouble?

The shortcomings of Walk Score are becoming more apparent as planners look to use it as a measure of walkability, says The Conservative Planner.

1 minute read

October 24, 2010, 11:00 AM PDT

By Anonymous (not verified)


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."

Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Conservative Planner

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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