Poll: #1 development goal for urban KC

[flyingember]

Can you even have density without walkability naturally increasing though? I don't think I could name a place that's dense yet unwalkable.

Even if the streetscape is total trash, you'll still have everything a shorter walking distance away.

I think it really depends on how you define "walkable"

Because a fit 20-something college student has different expectations than someone in a wheelchair.

[FangKC]

Density without walkability is worthless.

density and walkability without affordability you might as well not build dense or walkable.

There's also an entirely missing category, accessible (public spaces)

Almost every new project built is not affordable for everyone. It's expensive to build new, so tenants usually pay premium rents until the building ages. That is the history of urban life. Most affordable housing is in old houses and apartment buildings. The only new housing that is affordable is heavily-subsidized.

[beautyfromashes]

The only new housing that is affordable is heavily-subsidized.

Yes, an many new voices I hear are calling for all new tax subsidized residential buildings to have an affordable component. Personally, I think reduced regulation and easier approvals will increase supply and cut pricing. I am surprised that affordability hasn’t received one vote yet. I thought it would be a leader in the poll.

[FangKC]

I think the definition of walkable often comes down to whether people are willing to walk there. If you walk 10 blocks on maintained sidewalks past a variety of storefronts, office and residential entrances-- a lot of visual interest, and there are shade trees with surface landscaping, then that's probably a place people will walk some distance without complaint.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.0864845 ... 6656?hl=en

If you walk 10 blocks on cracked sidewalks past surface parking lots and hostile, block-long parking garage facades, then most people probably won't walk there.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1019008 ... 384!8i8192

When I lived on Quality Hill, I often walked from 10th and Washington to the former public library at 12th and McGee. I had a couple of routes I followed that was more aesthetically pleasant than the other routes at that time (pre-P&L). I rarely diverged from those routes.

When I lived in NYC, I regularly walked 10-15 blocks to go somewhere. I never noticed because almost every route was well-maintained and had enough visual interest to distract me from the fact I was walking. If I had to walk the same distance down Metcalf Avenue, I would drive a car.

[alejandro46]

I feel like even in walkable communities, if there is abundant parking people will still drive from point A to point B instead of walking.

For example, if I parked across from Harpos in Columbia, MO and wanted to go to Flat Branch (a local restaurant) after, I could either walk or drive. If it's gameday, you know I"m walking. However, on an average day, look at all the parking lots inducing demand for me to drive my lazy self over there and eliminating my need to walk back.