Realtors Discover Demand for Walkable Places

After generations of sales focused on conventional suburbia, realtors are discovering the demand for walkable, urban places.

1 minute read

April 7, 2014, 11:00 AM PDT

By newurban


walkable street

Dewita Soeharjono / Flickr

A survey sponsored by Realtors illustrates that home buying is more like a prix fixe menu than ordering a la carte. Would you like the mixed-use neighborhood? That comes with a side order of access to culture and transit. Another choice is the large-lot house on a cul-de-sac. That comes with the longer commute and the drive-only traffic stew.

I'm sorry ma'am, substitutes are not allowed. And sir, we are running short on the mixed-use neighborhood tonight. 

Joseph Molinaro of the National Association of Realtors explains the organization’s consumer preference survey.

The survey results are conflicted at times — reflecting Americans’ attitudes toward houses and communities. 

Monday, April 7, 2014 in Better! Cities & Towns

portrait of professional woman

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

Get top-rated, practical training

Aerial view of single-family homes with swimming pools in San Diego, California.

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule

The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

March 9, 2025 - Axios

Canadian flag in foreground with blurred Canadian Parliament building in background in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Has President Trump Met His Match?

Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.

March 11, 2025 - Toronto Star

Close-up of green ULEZ sign in London, UK.

Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution

Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.

March 10, 2025 - Smart Cities World

Close-up of electric bus being charged with portable charger.

Zero-Emission Bus Fleets Grow, But Federal Funding Is in Jeopardy

Transit agencies around the country have purchased over 7,000 zero-emission buses, but a federal program that funds the shift could be eliminated under the new administration.

March 17 - Smart Cities Dive

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17 - The Wall Street Journal

Blue Connect 1 bus at nighttime in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Governor Opens Window for Regional Transit Authority

The proposed state budget includes a provision that allows local governments to establish a dedicated transit tax.

March 17 - Urban Milwaukee

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.