Findings from the Hillsboro walking audit inspire vision for a walkable downtown
Last June, Metro's development center invited Dan Burden, co-founder of the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute, Inc., and Ian Lockwood and Fabian De La Espriella of AECOM to conduct walking audits in Southeast Portland, Beaverton and Hillsboro for community business leaders, planners and elected officials. Once the three days of walking audits were completed, the institute's recommendations for walkable neighborhoods and city centers could have easily ended up in a spiral-bound report.
Instead, their findings and suggestions for pedestrian-friendly communities were captured in three colorful, information-packed posters.
With one poster for each city, the major issues, opportunities and desires of the community are spotlighted under the bold graphic heading, "What we heard." Short- and long-term priorities including goals for sustainable transportation, traffic calming and placemaking follow, supported by vibrant maps, illustrations and diagrams.
Add in photos taken during each walking audit and the posters provide a snapshot of all the elements that would enhance the livability of each neighborhood and city center.
Instead of sitting on a shelf in the planning offices of Portland, Beaverton and Hillsboro, the posters can be used to keep the vision of livable, pedestrian-friendly communities front and center as the cities grow.
View a video on best practices for walkability