In the latest issue of Alaska Airline’s inflight magazine Beyond, an article entitled “Walk This Way” spoke to a new urban lifestyle that seeks walkability – among other things. The article cites a 2015 Urban Land Institute study that measured attitudes toward housing transportation and community, noting that 52 percent of American adults would like to live in a place where they rarely need a car. In addition, the study also showed that 78 percent of Americans prefer communities where residents are a mix of ages (with three embedded schools, Discovery Park Lodge and a variety of housing types – NWX has this covered).
While NorthWest Crossing may not lie in the center of San Francisco per se, some of the principles for new urban living are definitely part of the fabric of our community. The neighborhood’s fairly centralized location makes self-powered commute options, such as walking and biking even more convenient. If you haven’t noticed, our sidewalks are a full 12 inches wider than standard and our beloved full-grown ponderosa pines help create a pleasant environment for walking. Beyond simple enjoyment, the practical design of NorthWest Crossing – based on a fundamental recognition that streets should be part of the public realm and designed as ‘complete streets’ that enhance mobility and quality of life for all users: pedestrians, cyclists or motorists – increase walkability overall.
One interesting point that was brought up near the end of the article was that the higher prices that residents pay to live in a mixed-use community are mitigated by the easy access to amenities – and lack of expenses related to using a car every day. “People want to walk” the article says “you just have to give them somewhere to go.”
