Take A Hike...well, okay...A Walk.

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFg_KRihR2WKGSXkYEVOKxw18eoLGUmeeEl1DmpeVKjLKFNBSs5e4Ksi6ETYSdA98BxB_wbPAGXTjKilAHDnwa0Inh14xtWKqnqIOtTtdoAMNb8z6-PBMmEnF5Rx4UXE5-5K045_zw-uIk/s1600-h/Picture+1.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091517269516649314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFg_KRihR2WKGSXkYEVOKxw18eoLGUmeeEl1DmpeVKjLKFNBSs5e4Ksi6ETYSdA98BxB_wbPAGXTjKilAHDnwa0Inh14xtWKqnqIOtTtdoAMNb8z6-PBMmEnF5Rx4UXE5-5K045_zw-uIk/s400/Picture+1.png" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.notcot.com">NOTCOT</a>(the fabulous site by my friend, Jean Aw and colleagues) did a nice feature story on this cool site, so I am reprinting it here.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VFkOL52kZQmgeTHOFkPGRav4h4tVahvmKIUDBaNf13JpCW95f4ooEugZ_LN0G_pkmeZuOc732hj7YWru9SMweT6eo3yl-erwJiTXTC-9iMtyZ-fg10IPp9ARbnhSN6mX3mg__7UUhyE3/s1600-h/walkscore.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091516006796264258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VFkOL52kZQmgeTHOFkPGRav4h4tVahvmKIUDBaNf13JpCW95f4ooEugZ_LN0G_pkmeZuOc732hj7YWru9SMweT6eo3yl-erwJiTXTC-9iMtyZ-fg10IPp9ARbnhSN6mX3mg__7UUhyE3/s400/walkscore.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br /><br />Jean Aw: <i>"Odds are if you are reading this, you PROBABLY should check the Walk Score of your current location and get walking. I mean seriously, we spend a bit too much time at our computers… well me at least. Apparently my current <a href="http://www.walkscore.com">walkscore </a>is well in the green, at 88% - what is that, a B+? A-? Its been a long time since i’ve thought about grades. “70 - 90 = Very Walkable: It’s possible to get by without owning a car.”<br /><br />This is an interesting mashup - <a href="http://www.walkscore.com">Walk Score</a> uses a patent-pending algorithm to calculate the walkability of an address based on: The distance to walkable locations near an address, calculating a score for each of these locations, combining these scores into one easy to read Walk Score. More details below on how the calculate an areas walkability…"</i><br /><br />From <a href="http://www.walkscore.com">Walk Score</a>:<br /><br />Walkable Neighborhoods<br /><br />Picture a walkable neighborhood. You lose weight each time you walk to the grocery store. You stroll home from last call without waiting for a cab. You spend less money on your car—or you don’t own a car. When you shop, you support your local economy. You talk to your neighbors.<br />What makes a neighborhood walkable?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX-bRUJDW0-Xj3n6-O9s4dr-edXbIQKJMYmUEG7acCLVmTLEjb8BrGe6Mg642uE1ziX_IEHGE_DGI-Ugqs0Oll-7-sb-EVwNWkFsybnyEeu9tkpYcIgQbVpt9KxGfJquCxU3yDFs-tDFq/s1600-h/walks.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091516311738942290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX-bRUJDW0-Xj3n6-O9s4dr-edXbIQKJMYmUEG7acCLVmTLEjb8BrGe6Mg642uE1ziX_IEHGE_DGI-Ugqs0Oll-7-sb-EVwNWkFsybnyEeu9tkpYcIgQbVpt9KxGfJquCxU3yDFs-tDFq/s400/walks.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><br /><br />Walkable communities tend to have the following characteristics:<br /><br />* A center: Walkable neighborhoods have a discernable center, whether it’s a shopping district, a main street, or a public space.<br />* Density: The neighborhood is compact, rather than spread out, which brings people closer to stores and jobs and makes public transportation more cost effective.<br />* Mixed income, mixed use: Housing is provided for everyone who works in the neighborhood: young and old, singles and families, rich and poor. Businesses and residences are located near each other.<br />* Parks and public space: There are plenty of public places to gather and play.<br />* Accessibility: The neighborhood is accessible to everyone and has wheelchair access, plenty of benches with shade, sidewalks on all streets, etc.<br />* Well connected, speed controlled streets: Streets form a connected grid that improves traffic by providing many routes to any destination. Streets are narrow to control speed, and shaded by trees to protect pedestrians.<br />* Pedestrian-centric design: Buildings are placed close to the street to cater to foot traffic, with parking lots relegated to the back.<br />* Close schools and workplaces: Schools and workplaces are close enough that most residents can walk from their homes.<br /><br />They even have a page of <a href="http://www.walkscore.com/how-it-doesnt-work.shtml">“How it doesn’t work”</a> <br /><br /><br />www.walkscore.com

Take A Hike...well, okay...A Walk.

NOTCOT (the fabulous site by my friend, Jean Aw and colleagues) did a nice feature story on this cool site, so I am reprinting it here. Jean...

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