Street first
As the push to develop more walkable communities gains traction, certain metro areas are progressing faster than others, according to a report by the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis at George Washington University School of Business in conjunction with Smart Growth America.
While metro areas like Washington, D.C., New York City, Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago ranked among the top current areas for walkable urbanism, the report found that other cities, including Miami, Atlanta and Detroit, are well positioned for future growth of walkable places given current efforts in those communities.
Top-ranking metro areas have an average of 38 percent higher GDP per capita compared to the low-ranking cities. Offices in walkable urban areas rent at a 74 percent higher premium per square foot over drivable suburban areas.
Cities that want to thrive in our new economic and demographic realities will need to find ways to create and support more of these dynamic, productive walkable districts that are in high demand, says Geoff Anderson, president and CEO of Smart Growth America.
Top 10 Most Walkable U.S. Cities
1. Washington, D.C.
2. New York
3. Boston
4. San Francisco
5. Chicago
6. Seattle
7. Portland
8. Atlanta.
9. Pittsburgh
10. Cleveland
