Houston is the 54th most walkable city in America
Because of the way Houston infrastructure was established, It lags behind the rest of the world in how accessible it is by walking. It is estimated that only 6% of Journeys made within the City are by foot, which pales in comparison to cities like paris, where that number is almost 50%.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Walkability Index is a good gauge to understand how cities compare in terms of how walkable they are. With a score of 47/100, Houston Lags far behind more pedestrian friendly cities such as New York, or Chicago.
These statistics are somewhat deceiving
When comparing Houston against other major metropolitan areas in Texas, it may come as a surprise to find that it is the most walkable in the state.
In areas such as East Downtown, Montrose, and Midtown, there is a nucleus where the walkability rivals that of cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.
The increase in the share of households with no vehicles in 2021 suggests an increased reliance on public or alternative methods of transportation particularly in Harris County. With this growth, it becomes increasingly important to promote walkable lifestyles and infrastructure.
The chart on the right indicates that more people rely on walking and public transit in the United States in comparison to Houston, though Houston does not fall far behind.
The Journey to make Houston More Walkable will not be an easy one. It will be a collaborative effort between citizens and lawmakers to make a city that is safer, more accessible, & more conducive to economic development.
It is important to stay informed on the issue and make your voice heard through voting in local elections