PRINCIPLE #3
The land use mix and its density influences whether people walk.
People are more likely to walk to their workplace, entertainment venues, or destinations that provide basic necessities, if they are within 1/2 mile. For example, mixed-use or new urbanist style development (development that mixes different land uses such as housing, services, shopping, entertainment, and employment) has been shown to reduce both automobile use and overall parking needs.
Within the MAG region, some new development has included mixed use components that have been well-received. These developments are generally located in downtown areas or are the focus of large, master planned communities. However, most new development still consists of single use, low-rise, low-density development, with segregated retail and employment uses. Continued support of denser development and varied land uses in residential and employment areas, accessed by direct pedestrian routes, could encourage more pedestrian travel, reduce overall parking needs, and decrease traffic congestion.
PRINCIPLE #4
In a dense, urban setting, the pedestrian route is more likely to be used if destinations are closely spaced and building entrances are located immediately adjacent to the pedestrian route.
Easy pedestrian access to retail shops, and the close spacing of these shops, is to the advantage of the pedestrian and the retailer. This is evidenced by the renewals of downtowns and dual-entrance retail, common to many new urbanized developments. For example, access only from parking garages or lots increases the distance of the pedestrian trip, which can discourage walking.
Closely spaced locations eliminate the need for linked trips with a series of stops and starts. A variety of destinations in one location also increases the number of pedestrians. Studies have found that 15 percent of vehicular lunch time trips are to destinations less than 1/2 mile away. Clustering these destinations within walking distance of the workplace enables these trips to be made by a pedestrian rather than a vehicle. Research shows that store fronts with entrances ranging from 35 feet (10m) to 60 feet (18.3m) apart are best, depending on the intensity of the area. The shorter the distance between destinations, the more accessible the destinations and the more interesting the walking/shopping experience will tend to be.
Conversely, long walls without entrances or windows will cause a pedestrian to stop walking, assuming there is no more to see.
PRINCIPLE #5
Pedestrians seek the most direct route. The lack of a safe, convenient, direct route may determine whether people walk or not.
Many residential communities are surrounded by walls, or are gated for security. These features create barriers to transit stops and neighboring commercial areas with convenient shopping and services. If safe, convenient pedestrian connections are provided to these destinations from residential neighborhoods, people could choose to easily walk to these destinations. Additionally, if signs, landscaping, decorative paving, or other distinctive features are used to clearly mark the route and make it more pleasant and interesting, the route will more likely be chosen as an alternative to using a vehicle.
