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A demand for walkable communities is on the rise in Texas, the second fastest growing state between 2010-2013, according to a March 2014 article from the Texas Tribune.
Recently, investments in pedestrian friendly projects have found their way to some of Texas’ largest cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and El Paso. Even suburbs are trying to incorporate mixed-use town centers to get residents outside.
As reported in the Tribune article, urban planners like Patrick Kennedy of Dallas, believe that this increased demand for walkability comes partially as a result of the growing millennial population in Texas.
Kennedy said: “millennials are very interested in urbanism and walkable communities as well as being active in trying to create change.”
The elderly can also benefit greatly from having walkable communities, because after reaching a certain age, it becomes more difficult to drive.
In Dallas, Klyde Warren Park, a five-acre play space which sits over a busy highway, is now the country’s largest urban arts district.
Houston planners are working to develop a 150-mile network of trails alongside its light rail expansion, which will make it one of the country’s largest urban park expansion projects.
Read the full Texas Tribune article, “In Sprawling Texas, Walkability Gains a Toehold” here.
Learn why more Latino children need active spaces here & find tools for active spaces here.
By The Numbers
33
percent
of Latinos live within walking distance (<1 mile) of a park
