black and white image of a crosswalk light with a green walking man and a red hanging man

Walkable City 2: The Useful Walk

Learn the principal components of “the useful walk,” how zoning can create walkability and boost housing density, and why visual components are key to a walkable city.

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Course Info

  • Duration 7 video lessons (82 Mins)
  • Published Published
    2025
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Browse Course Chapters

  • Chapter Locked
    1.
    The General Theory of Walkability
    Chapter Duration 3 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    2.
    Towns vs. Sprawl
    Chapter Duration 25 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    3.
    Just Add Housing
    Chapter Duration 7 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    4.
    The Rise of the ADU
    Chapter Duration 6 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    5.
    Donald Shoup’s 3 Rules
    Chapter Duration 21 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    6.
    Parking Leveraging Housing
    Chapter Duration 4 mins
  • Chapter Locked
    7.
    The Role of Transit
    Chapter Duration 13 mins

What You Will Learn

  • Learn about the principal components of the useful walk.
  • Learn the distinctions between single-use and mixed-use zoning.
  • Learn about the role of increased housing in downtown vitality.
  • Learn techniques for increasing housing density.
  • Learn Donald Shoup’s three fundamental rules for parking, and their impact on policy.
  • Learn how to use excess parking to leverage development.
  • Learn about the relationship between frequent transit and high density.
  • Learn about several new mixed-use projects currently underway.

Course Description

Jane Jacobs reminds us that “almost nobody willingly travels from sameness to sameness and repetition to repetition, even if the physical effort required is minimal.” In other words, the first step in walkability is having a reason to walk. 

Mixed use zoning (as opposed to single-use Euclidean zoning), access to frequent transit, high-density housing, and proper parking management are principles that encourage walkability and apply in both revitalizing downtowns and new developments and neighborhoods.

Use coupon code PLANETIZEN to save 30% on Walkable City Rules from Island Press.

Learn these skills

  • Housing
  • Land Use
  • Parking
  • Pedestrian Planning
  • Sustainability
  • Transportation
  • Urban Design
  • Urbanism
  • Walkability
  • Zoning Codes

AICP CM

This course is approved for 1.25 CM Credits.

AIA CES

This course is 1 LU.

CIP

This course is eligible for self-reported CIP unstructured CPL units.

Meet Your Instructor

Jeff Speck

Jeff Speck

Jeff Speck is a city planner who advocates internationally for more walkable cities.

Meet Instructor

Course Reviews

4.65
Sean Hoelscher 1

Sean Hoelscher 1

Extremely Satisfied
Rema Abdelfattah

Rema Abdelfattah

Extremely Satisfied
Sarah Cook Sarah Cook

Sarah Cook Sarah Cook

Satisfied
Cody Northcroft

Cody Northcroft

Extremely Satisfied
Easy to understand and with really interesting and relevant topics.

Course Reviews

66%
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WILLIAM DINSMORE

WILLIAM DINSMORE

Extremely Satisfied
Will Hager

Will Hager

Satisfied
dcdrew19

dcdrew19

Satisfied
Michelle Robbins 2

Michelle Robbins 2

Extremely Satisfied
Helpful and interesting
Carla Jaynes

Carla Jaynes

Extremely Satisfied
Edward Theriot

Edward Theriot

Satisfied
Brandon Schaad 1

Brandon Schaad 1

Extremely Satisfied
Dane Sjoblom

Dane Sjoblom

Extremely Satisfied

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