Walkability issues

MATT DRISCOLL: WALKING MAKES HIM TIRED >>>

What determines a community’s walkability? While, as a generally flippant dude, it's tempting for me to say nothing more than the citizen’s desire to walk, there’s actually a little more to it than that.

What, you ask? I’m not sure I know yet.

But I just may find out on Monday when Dan Burden, who the City of Tacoma calls a “nationally recognized walking advocate,” will be in Tacoma at the University of Washington Tacoma campus lecturing and leading a discussion about Tacoma’s walkability and potential for improvement. According to the City of Tacoma, “Burden has 25 years of experience developing best practices for walkable and bikeable communities which focus on the needs of citizens.”

You’d figure that’s going to come in handy on Monday.

Here's a link to Walkable Communites, Inc. — a non profit organization that Burden is currently the executive director of.

Monday's lecture will be held in UWT’s Carwein Auditorium and it starts at 7 p.m. It’s free, and is scheduled to last 90 minutes — which may make it too late to walk home by the time it’s over. It depends on your desire to walk, I suppose.

Comments

[Erik]

What determines a community’s walkability? While, as a generally flippant dude, it's tempting for me to say nothing more than the citizen’s desire to walk, there’s actually a little more to it than that.

The question of walkability comes down to how many places are within a set distance. The more there are, the more walkable the area is. Unfortunately, much of downtown Tacoma isn't very walkable because there are still vast stretches of deadness between uses.

[Matt Driscoll]

Right you are, sir! Three points from way downtown for the Urbanist.

I just play an ass in print sometimes. Thank goodness for those who don't.