How do you create a walkable site that integrates with the community?

Creating a walkable and connected site that integrates with the surrounding community is a key goal for many land developers. A well-designed site can enhance the quality of life, health, and social interaction of its residents and visitors, as well as reduce environmental impacts and transportation costs. But how do you achieve this goal in practice? Here are some design principles and strategies that can help you plan and implement a walkable and connected site.

1 Understand the context

Before you start designing your site, you need to understand the context of the surrounding community. This includes the existing and planned land uses, transportation networks, natural features, cultural assets, and demographic characteristics of the area. You also need to consider the opportunities and constraints of your site, such as its size, shape, topography, access, and infrastructure. By analyzing the context, you can identify the strengths and weaknesses of your site, as well as the needs and preferences of the potential users.

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Colleen Glover, CTech

Senior Civil Designer; TAC Auditor; TPS Board Member
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I also found that speaking to the homeowners/businesses/stakeholders in the area gave a great impression of the real use of the area daily.

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2 Define the vision

Based on your context analysis, you can define the vision and objectives for your site. What are the main functions and features of your site? How do you want it to look and feel? How do you want it to relate to the surrounding community? How do you want it to support the social, economic, and environmental goals of the area? By defining the vision, you can establish a clear and coherent direction for your site design, as well as communicate it to your stakeholders and partners.

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3 Create a network

One of the most important aspects of creating a walkable and connected site is to create a network of streets, paths, and open spaces that link your site to the surrounding community. A network should provide multiple and direct routes for different modes of transportation, such as walking, biking, transit, and driving. It should also create a hierarchy of spaces, from public to private, that offer different levels of activity, privacy, and amenity. A network should balance the needs of mobility and access, as well as safety and comfort.

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Colleen Glover, CTech

Senior Civil Designer; TAC Auditor; TPS Board Member
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Safety is definitely and should be a main priority when designing. Everyone wants to be and feel safe ! Using CPTED practices is a good start.

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4 Design the details

Once you have created a network, you need to design the details that make your site attractive and functional. This includes the layout, orientation, scale, and style of the buildings and structures, as well as the landscaping, lighting, signage, and furniture of the streets and open spaces. You should aim to create a sense of place and identity for your site, as well as a sense of diversity and interest. You should also consider the human scale and experience of your site, as well as the environmental performance and resilience.

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5 Engage the community

Creating a walkable and connected site is not only a technical process, but also a social one. You need to engage the community throughout the design and implementation process, to ensure that your site reflects their needs, values, and aspirations. You can use various methods and tools to involve the community, such as surveys, workshops, focus groups, exhibitions, and feedback sessions. You should also seek to collaborate with other stakeholders and partners, such as local authorities, agencies, organizations, and businesses.

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6 Evaluate the outcomes

Finally, you need to evaluate the outcomes of your site design, to measure its performance and impact. You can use various indicators and methods to assess your site, such as walkability scores, connectivity indices, user satisfaction surveys, traffic counts, environmental audits, and economic analyses. You should also monitor and review your site over time, to identify any issues or opportunities for improvement. By evaluating the outcomes, you can learn from your experience and apply it to your future projects.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you create a walkable site that integrates with the community?

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1 Understand the context

2 Define the vision

3 Create a network

4 Design the details

5 Engage the community

6 Evaluate the outcomes

7 Here’s what else to consider

Land Development

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