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Which attributes make a community successful?

Multimodal Transportation Walkable Streets

Parking Options

Public Spaces/Parks

Urban Character

Civic / Cultural

Facilities

Anchor Employer

Infrastructure Investments

Higher Education

Diverse Housing

Types

Multi-Modal Transportation Choices

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More walkable places perform better economically (and this is largely about density and destinations)

Agglomeration: walkable neighborhoods benefit from being near other walkable neighborhoods

Walkable neighborhoods have higher housing costs, but lower transportation costs

Christopher B. Leinberger and Mariela Alfonzo, “Walk this Way: The Economic Promise of Walkable Places in Metropolitan Washington, D.C.” Brookings Institution, May 2012.

Economic Benefits of Compact, Walkable Places: Findings from Brookings “Walk this Way” study

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Walkability (at neighborhood level) increases home values

Sites in compact, walkable areas command higher property values for office, retail, and apartment;

Per-unit cost to developers to supply infrastructure decreases as density increases

Sources: 1) Joe Cortright, “Walking the Walk,” CEOs for Cities, August 2009. 2) Pivo, G and Fisher, “Effects of Walkability on Property Values and Investment Returns,” Boston College, 2009. 3) Arrington, G, “Effects of TOD on Housing, Parking and Travel,” Transportation Research Board, 2008.

Economic Benefits of Compact, Walkable Places: Other findings

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Places targeted for regional growth

Urban & suburban centers, traditional towns, emerging communities

Mix of uses

Aligned with existing & future transportation network

What Are Activity Centers?

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Strong Transportation

Network

StrongActivityCenters

Why do Activity Centers Matter?

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Place + Opportunity: 6 Activity Center Place Types

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Rosslyn

Photo: washingtonpost.com

• “Urban Center” • Major employment center• Dense, mixed-use, strong

market

• High rents & occupancies• High-volume Metro station• Strong street network &

pedestrian infrastructure

13Photo: Assemblyrow.com

Shirlington• “Dense Mixed-Use Center” • Dense, mixed-use, strong

market but smaller scale• More variation in asset

type – office, retail, residential

• Walkable & pedestrian-oriented

14Photo: Assemblyrow.com

Manassas

Manassas

• “Satellite City” • Outer jurisdiction• Mix of uses, activities but

different market than in inner jurisdictions

• Traditional downtown• Commuter rail station,

limited reverse commute• Strong street network &

walkable

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Sophie Mintier, Regional PlannerMetropolitan Washington Council of Governmentssmintier@mwcog.org | (202)962-3753