Philadelphia Reaps the Economic Benefits from Being Fifth-Most Walkable City in America

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Being the fifth-most walkable city in the nation is good for Philadelphia’s economy, writes Aditi Shrikant for Vox.

The walkability of a city is determined by analyzing how many errands can be done without a car. On a scale of 100, Philadelphia scores 79, while the average for cities nationwide with a population of more than 200,000 is 49.

According to city planner Jeff Speck, the benefits from having high walkability include higher property values. A study from 2009 found that each additional walkability score point can increase home values anywhere between $500 and $3,000.

Investing in walkability through approving funds to repaint pedestrian walkways or developing affordable housing close to downtowns creates jobs and attracts a diverse population. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning found that 63 percent of millennials would prefer to live somewhere that would not require a car.

Also, walking is the cheapest option in the city. According to Speck’s book on the subject, Walkability City Rules: 101 Steps to Making Better Places, a bus costs a resident about $1 but it also costs the city $1.50. However, when a resident walks, the cost to the city is just a penny.

Read more about the benefits of walkability from Vox by clicking here.

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Top photo credit: PMillera4 The Italian Market in Philadelphia via photopin (license)

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