Chances are you probably didn’t walk to work today – but walkability is one of the big topics at the 23rd annual Congress for the New Urbanism being held in Dallas this week.
Chris Leinberger, a land use strategist and developer, professor at George Washington University and nonresident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, is in town to address the conference.
Interview Highlights: Chris Leinberger…
… On one big benefit of a walkable urban environment:
“There are health benefits, of course. We’ve now proven that driving makes you fat. We know that for a fact. And the obesity epidemic and diabetes and all the rest that have been driving up health care costs are directly related to our land use.”
… On building walkable neighborhoods in suburbia:
“You’re going to see and you are seeing these kinds of walkable urban places developed throughout the entire region. It is not just the turnaround of downtown Dallas – it’s going to be the urbanization of the suburbs. And you’re seeing it in Plano and Addison Circle.”
… On the difference that DART is making:
“You have 70, 80 stations that are seeing walkable urban development beginning to congeal around them. And it’s going to be your future.”
