Growing public interest in walkable communities, but public sector decision-makers still lag behind

Walkscore, the first website to offer easy-to-use walkability ratings for cities, neighborhoods, and individual properties now has some competition. Walkability, a rating system released this month targets private businesses, particularly those in the marketing, social networking, and real estate sectors.

Walk/Transit/Bike Score now an important number for real estate

Walk Score, and now its associated Transit Score and Bike Score have become increasingly important metrics for both brokers selling and renting homes and those searching for a place to live. Access to transportation options is important to those frustrated with congestion and rising gas prices as well as those who simply want a walkable neighborhood.

CNT unveils updated Housing + Transportation Affordability Index

Last week, the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) unveiled its updated Housing and Transportation Affordability (HTA) Index. HTA provides a comprehensive measure of affordability by quantifying the combined costs of housing and transportation in communities across the U.S. The updated HTA Index provides a wealth of economic, demographic, geographic and environmental data to support improvements in equity and economic well-being through better transportation options and reductions in transportation-inefficient development.

Prospering in Place: Linking Jobs, Development, and Transit to Spur Chicago’s Economy (Center for Neighborhood Technology, 2012)

This report presents a blueprint for revitalizing specific neighborhoods within the Chicago urban area by focusing on the transit and rail networks already in place. It calls for investment in the places with the best chance …

Prospering in Place: Linking Jobs, Development, and Transit to Spur Chicago’s Economy (Center for Neighborhood Technology, 2012)

This report presents a blueprint for revitalizing specific neighborhoods within the Chicago urban area by focusing on the transit and rail networks already in place. It calls for investment in the places with the best chance …