As Jax promotes more walkable areas, studies show what can go right - and wrong

[thelakelander]

Neighborhoods across the country are valued for their walkability, and Jacksonville's are no exception.

Avondale, Riverside and San Marco are three that have become increasingly attractive over the past decade as homebuyers and renters alike place greater value on the ability to walk to services, shopping areas and restaurants.

But living in a walkable neighborhood in a still car-centric culture has its challenges — noise, traffic and parking — especially as businesses move closer to residents.

"You do have to be concerned about things like that," said Beth King, a local real estate agent, "because you can't be a mixed-use neighborhood and then try to ignore the largest mix, which would be the residential."

Residents often voice concerns of increased crime, physical damage to their homes or declines in property values. Sometimes they create organizations to negotiate with real-estate developers to strike compromises. These talks can be contentious.

Full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/2016-08-30/story/jacksonville-promotes-more-walkable-areas-studies-show-what-can-go-right-and

[Kerry]

Here is a general observation of mine on the difference between growth in urban and suburban areas.  In urban areas growth is welcomed because the more people who move to an area and increase the population density the more it attracts retailers and services that cater to those people.  Each new resident adds to the vibrancy and desirability of the area.  In suburbia it is the exact opposite.  Each new person degrades the quality of life of all the people already living there.  Eventually the only option is to move even further out where the process repeats.