As more and more people begin to think about and discuss "green" living, you will probably hear the term "walkability." Wikipedia defines "walkability" as...
"The extent to which the built environment is friendly to the presence of people living, shopping, visiting, enjoying or spending time in an area".
So what makes a neighborhood walkable? There are many components that are taken into consideration, such as:
- A center of some type (shopping district, main street, or public space)
- Density
- Mixed income and mixed use
- Parks and public space
- Pedestrian-centric design
- Nearby schools and workplaces
I was interested in checking on the walkability score of the Westchase area in northwestern Hillsborough County, Florida. There are thousands of homesites in Westchase along with business centers, sidewalks, ponds, bridges, and schools.
I visited http://www.walkscore.com and entered the address of my real estate office in the Westchase Town Center. The walkability score for this area was 58 out of a possible 100 - making the area "somewhat walkable."
You might want to check out the walkability scores of your listings or properties you plan to show your buyers.
Peggy Edwards, REALTOR, GREEN DESIGNATION
Coldwell Banker
Tampa, FL
(813) 787-2923
www.PeggyEdwards.com
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YES, walkability a new term that will be common language shortly, huh? Our society changes so quickly. It's a good thing having this movement toward more conscientious use of resources and examining our spending and consumption habits. Thanks for the explanation.