Here’s a roundup of some of the morning’s coverage. See something we’re missing in your local paper? Pass it along in the comments.
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The most walkable cities are looking even better in the age of $4 gas
Marketwatch
“Most Americans agree we will never see cheap gas again,” said David Goldberg, spokesman for Smart Growth America, referring to a Harris Interactive poll from December that found 92% of participants thought gas prices are likely to rise in the coming years. Smart Growth America is a coalition of organizations working to improve the ways communities are planned and built. Goldberg also serves on Walk Score’s advisory board.
Gas prices pique interest in Walk Score
Inman News
The site was dreamed up by Seattle-based, environmentally and socially conscious “civic software” developer Front Seat, which hopes people will use the site to find homes and apartments in walkable neighborhoods. Front Seat is making a Walk Score tile available to real estate professionals — or anybody else who wants to embed the tool in their Web sites — that’s been embraced by sites like postlets.com and is now generating 100,000 views a month.
Walk Score Unveils America’s Most Walkable Neighborhoods
PR Newswire official release
‘As Americans look to reduce their environmental impact and ease reliance on cars, the appeal of walkable communities continues to grow,’ says Christopher Leinberger of the Brookings Institution. ‘People increasingly value the convenience and connectedness that vibrant, walkable communities offer — and the health, safety and environmental benefits are icing on the cake.’
S.F. a step ahead as most ‘walkable’ U.S. city
San Francisco Chronicle
The ability to conveniently travel by foot to services and jobs matters for a number of reasons. Studies show it means people get more exercise, drive fewer miles and consequently spend less on gas and produce fewer greenhouse emissions. Walkability also means there are people on the sidewalks, in stores and at restaurants, making neighborhoods livelier and, for many, more attractive.
America’s 10 Most Walkable Cities; New Report Highlights Benefits of New Urbanism
The Daily Green
Hopefully, this list will encourage people to seek out, and take advantage of, oases of New Urbanism. Additionally, the increased attention, coupled with high gas prices, may provide impetus for more developers and city planners to ease away from America’s addiction to the automobile.
Cleveland ranks as 14th most walkable big city by WalkScore.com
Cleveland Plain Dealer
Americans want to live in walkable places, he said. If you walk instead of drive, you reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion. You probably weigh a few pounds less. You probably know your neighbors. You buy fewer $4 gallons of gas. “It’s a more vibrant lifestyle,” Mathieu said. “It’s living the good life. That is becoming more in focus for people.”
San Francisco most walkable U.S. city, website says
Reuters
The ultimate goal is to see the site’s scores included in property listings, said Mike Mathieu, founder of the company that created the site’s software. “What we see is someone calling up a broker and saying ‘I want three bedrooms, two baths, a walkability score of 85, what’ve you got?'” Mathieu said.