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	Recognizing the relationship of walking to economic development is a key component of making an area attractive to the workers of the New Economy and high technology economy. While studies measuring the economic impacts of walking are limited, downtown revitalization efforts focused on the "Creative Class" recognize that creating a sense of place where people want to live and work focuses on creating public spaces that foster a sense of community. To be effective, these spaces need to be safe, comfortable, and a destination that encourages people to walk. The City of Tallahassee, Florida recognized the relationship of walking to economic development in its Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. It recommends the following actions to encourage economic development through pedestrian activity: Make quality-of-place a central element of regional economic development efforts. Integrate amenities and natural assets into all aspects of regional economic development, talent attraction, and marketing efforts. Invest in the outdoor, recreational, and life-style amenities of the New Economy as a component of regional economic development and talent attraction efforts; for example, the creating climbing walls, mountain bike trails, bike paths, and roller-blading areas throughout the city and region. Explore the possibility of bringing in outdoor competitions and events such as triathlons, bike races, rowing competitions and similar efforts. Orient waterfront improvements to encourage active, recreational activities such as rowing, sailing, and windsurfing and improve public access for these activities. Upgrade the areas surrounding major universities and colleges and make them centers for New Economy recreational amenities. Establish better and more user-friendly transit connections from the university districts to downtowns and high technology business areas through the use of light rail, mass transit or bike lanes.5 Livability When we walk we engage in "face to face" contact – the most personal type of interaction between strangers. It has long been recognized in the corporate world that managers must walk through their offices to understand what is really going on. The same can be said for communities. Walking provides opportunities for the type of face to face interactions that form the bonds of community and neighborhood. Creating places where people have the opportunity to meet their neighbors face to face and to interact with them in a manner that is not restricted by the speed or physical barrier of an automobile contributes to a sense of community. Creating places where people can walk from their home to school, a park or local shopping increases the opportunity for social interaction and as a result, enhances the potential for community building. WHO SHOULD USE THIS DOCUMENT This document will be helpful to anyone who is involved with pedestrian facilities, be it at the planning or facility design level within a city, the drawing level of a design firm, or the on-the-ground efforts of community associations or individuals. HOW THIS DOCUMENT IS ORGANIZED The MAG Pedestrian Area Policies and Design Guidelines are composed of three parts. The first section "Principles and Abilities of Pedestrians" provides a basic understanding of pedestrians and their movements, such as walking distances or the influences that effect a choice of walking over driving.