Design for Healthy Communities: The Potential of Form-Based Codes to Create Walkable Urban Streets

Abstract

Form-Based codes are promoted, although not proven, as a means to create walkable streets because they regulate built features on the street. In this study an audit survey developed to measure the physical features of streets related to walkability was used to evaluate streets built from Form-Based codes. The survey considered the urban design qualities of imageability, complexity human scale, transparency, and enclosure. The street survey and an analysis of Form-Based codes revealed features regulated by codes created streets similar to historic walkable streets. Results also showed codes have the potential to create walkable streets if they regulate a high number of features, control the frequency of features and regulate features primarily linked to the urban design qualities of imageability, complexity, and human scale.