I © Copyright 2017 Annegret Helene Nautsch
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© Copyright 2017 Annegret Helene Nautsch i Exploring Walkability: a Spatial Analysis of Vibrancy in New Holly, a New Urbanist Community in south Seattle, WA Annegret Helene Nautsch A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Urban Planning University of Washington 2017 Committee: Robert Mugerauer Rachel Berney Program Authorized to Offer Degree: Urban Design and Planning ii University of Washington Abstract Exploring Walkability: a Spatial Analysis of Vibrancy in New Holly, a New Urbanist Community in south Seattle, WA Annegret Helene Nautsch Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Professor Bob Mugerauer, PhD Urban Design & Planning Walkability is a notion that crosses multiple fields of study including planning, real estate, and public health. Social cohesion and community ideals are equated to walkable areas. For this thesis, walkability is defined as a two-part phenomenon: accessibility and vibrancy. This thesis focuses primarily on the vibrancy half of this definition. Vibrancy refers to the intangibles of walkability, mainly the social assets associated with walkability. Walkability is a key part of the New Urbanism design movement, which aims create to livable and walkable communities. Across the United States, many redevelopment plans have used New Urbanist design guidelines to revitalize distressed public housing. To examine the vibrancy part of walkability, observations and behavioral mapping were completed in New Holly, a mixed-income housing site in south Seattle. This data was then analyzed using a four-part iii vibrancy framework developed through a thorough literature review. With this vibrancy analysis, New Holly is given a relative vibrancy rating. Specific barriers to vibrancy, common to all four vibrancy factors, are identified. Finally, possible interventions are discussed and further research opportunities are recognized. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... viii List of Tables ................................................................................................................................... x Introduction ............................................................................................................... 12 1.1 Walkability: A Part of New Urbanism .......................................................................... 12 1.2 Vibrancy: A Four-Factor Component of Walkability .................................................... 14 1.3 Document Overview ..................................................................................................... 14 Literature Review ...................................................................................................... 16 2.1 Walking and Walkability............................................................................................... 18 2.2 New Urbanism .............................................................................................................. 27 2.3 Public Housing and Walking ........................................................................................ 31 2.4 Hope VI.......................................................................................................................... 35 Research Methods and Methodology ...................................................................... 38 3.1 Methods ........................................................................................................................ 38 3.2 Site Visits ...................................................................................................................... 42 3.3 Study Site...................................................................................................................... 43 Findings ...................................................................................................................... 46 4.1 Area Context ................................................................................................................. 46 4.2 Observations of Study Site .......................................................................................... 50 4.3 Observations of Human Behavior ............................................................................... 59 4.3.1 Quantitative Findings ........................................................................................... 59 v 4.3.2 Qualitative Findings ............................................................................................. 66 Discussion: Vibrancy in new Holly ............................................................................ 69 5.1 Connectivity and Linkage ............................................................................................ 72 5.2 Dispersal and Variety of Amenities ............................................................................. 80 5.3 Community Identity/Cohesion..................................................................................... 86 5.4 Property/Space Pride .................................................................................................. 94 5.5 Overall Vibrancy in New Holly ...................................................................................... 99 Recommendations and Conclusion ...................................................................... 101 6.1 Further Research ...................................................................................................... 101 6.2 Walkability in New Holly ............................................................................................ 101 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................... 109 Appendix A: Figure Ground of Study Area ................................................................................ 115 Appendix B: Composite Map of Adults .................................................................................... 116 Appendix C: Composite Map of Elderly .................................................................................... 117 Appendix D: Composite Map of Children ................................................................................. 118 Appendix E: Composite Map of Commuters from Light Rail .................................................. 119 Appendix F: Composite Map of Observed interactions .......................................................... 120 Appendix G: Composite Map of Hispanic/Latino Persons ..................................................... 121 Appendix H: Composite Map of Asian Persons ....................................................................... 122 Appendix I: Composite Map of White Persons ........................................................................ 123 vi Appendix J: Composite Map of African American/Black Persons.......................................... 124 Appendix K: Composite Map of Other Race/ethnicity ............................................................ 125 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1. Two components of walkability .................................................................... 13 Figure 1.2. Vibrancy rating template. ............................................................................. 15 Figure 2.1. Conceptual framework of the literature review. ......................................... 17 Figure 2.2. Walkability construct for this thesis............................................................. 24 Figure 3.1. Study Route of New Holly. ............................................................................ 41 Figure 3.2. Site visit days. ............................................................................................... 42 Figure 3.3. Context Map. ................................................................................................. 45 Figure 4.1. Funding for New Holly (Seattle.gov 2017). ................................................. 47 Figure 4.2. Chief Sealth Trail ........................................................................................... 48 Figure 4.3. Empty lot on north side of the study area. (source: Author) ...................... 49 Figure 4.4. A clear divide in housing when comparing structure footprints. ............... 51 Figure 4.5. Houses along 39th Ave S (source: Author) ................................................. 52 Figure 4.6. New Urbanist style porches along 39th Ave S (source: Author). ............... 53 Figure 4.7. Study area houses not along 39th Ave S (source: Author). ....................... 54 Figure 4.8. Alley between 39th Ave S and Rockery Dr S (source: Author). .................. 54 Figure 4.9. Fire hydrant in sidewalk, creating a path obstruction (source: Author). ... 56 Figure 4.10. Play structure on southern end of Central Park area (source: Author). .. 57 Figure 4.11. Public transit access around study site .................................................... 58 Figure 5.1. Conceptual Framework. ............................................................................... 70 Figure 5.2. Small, paved play area within study area (source: Author). ....................... 74 Figure 5.3. Study site assets related to Connectivity/Linkage. .................................... 78 Figure 5.4. Green space locations in the neighborhood. .............................................. 82 Figure 5.5. Amenities and destinations in neighborhood. ...........................................