Planning for Walkability? Concentrate on Commercial Density

Urban Kchoze presents a detailed, step-by-step analysis of the relationship between commercial density and residential density to find a better understanding of which matters more for promoting walkability.

2 minute read

November 17, 2015, 12:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Walkable Street

Marques / Shutterstock

"[W]alkability is usually measured not by how many people reside near you, but by how many services and shops you can access from where you live," according to a post on the blog Urban Khoze. "So to achieve great walkability, it seems that commercial density is very important." Metrics like Walk Score exemplify this claim, but this post takes a look under the hood, so to speak, by examining a model for proof that commercial density is even more important than residential density in achieving the goals of walkability.

The post begins by examining the example set by old American cities, where commercial buildings cover the entire lot and floor-to-area ratio of 150 percent to 250 percent. That density, however, often times clashes with residential densities just a few blocks away, with FAR in the realm of 25 percent to 30 percent. The lesson from these types of arrangements: "So old American cities had very high commercial densities on main street but relatively low densities in residential areas. And we know these small towns were walkable because they were built in an era where cars were still relatively rare, if not even before, when they didn't exist."

Following some of the implications of that example, the post goes on to set up a model with four scenarios of commercial and residential arrangement to reveal more insight into the importance of density in their relationship. The post's exploration of each of these scenarios informs many concepts that are helpful in understanding planning to improve walkability. The conclusion: "achieving commercial density is far more important to re-establishing walkable cities than densifying residential areas."

Tuesday, November 17, 2015 in Urban Kchoze

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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today