• Natural experiment: Walkable places boost physical activity

    Nationwide cell phone data analysis reveals that walkable places cause diverse people to walk more. The authors of a study published in Nature believe that the built environment could yield widespread health benefits.
    That people walk more in walkable places is clear. However, a debate has long persisted over the extent to which walkable cities cause that activity, or do they merely attract those who already want to walk? This is called “self-selection bias.” I’ve never really understood why this debate matters—...Read more

  • The research is in on New Urbanism—and it’s stronger than you think

    A survey research project at the University of Notre Dame has painted a remarkably clear picture of the many benefits, but also highlighted the need for smoother implementation pathways.
    In the past, practitioners of the new urbanism – otherwise known as walkable, compact, mixed-use, multi-modal urbanism of the kind that is more common in traditional cities and towns – have been criticized for making ideological pronouncements without a solid foundation of evidence. We...Read more

  • Inspiring the future of livable places

    The IMCL Conference in Cortona, Italy, enabled urbanists from around the world to share effective tools and strategies, backed up by research findings, for the creation and preservation of livable cities.
    For hundreds of years, cloisters—enclosed gardens surrounded by covered walkways – have been the backdrop for study, contemplation, and exchanging great ideas. In Cortona, Italy, the cloister of the historic convent Sant’ Agostino served this purpose again, for the 61st International Making Cities...Read more

  • Walkable places gain market share, economic impact

    The latest Foot Traffic Ahead report benchmarks walkable urbanism across the US, demonstrates pent-up demand for walkability and its outsized economic impact, and ranks metro areas according to this characteristic.
    Although the last two years have seen a population movement out of some large cities, walkable places both in cities and suburbs continue to gain market share, according to Foot Traffic Ahead , a report from Smart Growth America and Places Platform LLC. Walkable downtowns, town centers, and...Read more