Case Study:
Does size matter? A critique of two urban block sizes and the affects on walkability
Portland, Oregon Salt Lake City, Utah
GoogleEarth Pro, web. 04 Apr 2016
URBN 6652
Brett Meek | Jamie Fogle
GoogleEarth Pro, web. 04 Apr 2016
April 20, 2016
Contents
A critical component of a livable society is having the option to
walk within a 10 minute walk to basic needs and services.
Case Study Purpose: To examine the downtown block size and structure of two western
US cities and their influence on walkability.
Indicators are a response to human health and well-being, economic prosperity and
transportation infrastructure.
Background
Settlement History and Context
Development Forces
Downtown Comparisons
Block Figure Ground
Street Frontage and Intersections
1/4 Mile Radius Diagram
Nolli Map
Street Character
Public Amenity Character
Walkability Indicators
Walkability Principles
Walk Score, Bike Score, Transit Score for study area intersection
Human health, Well-being and Economic Indicators
Transportation Infrastructure Indicators
Conclusion
Small Block and Large Block Comparisons
D.A.Horchner/ Designworkshop, 2009
Bibliography
Background
BYU, Harold B. Lee Library Special Collections
Staver & Walker Carriage Company, 1891
PORTLAND, OR
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Settlement History and Context
City plat, 1866, City of Portland archive
BYU, Harold B. Lee Library Special Collections
Year of Settlement: 1845
City’s Geographic Area (2016): 145 Sq. Mi.
City’s Population (2010): 583,776, 28th most populous in US
City’s Population Density: 4,026/ People per Sq. Mi.
Downtown Street Widths: 60’
Downtown Block Size: 200’ by 200’ grid
Demonym: Portlander
Climate: Temperate, Avg. High: 82O F, Avg. Low: 35.2O F
Year of Settlement: 1847
City’s Geographic Area (2016): 110 Sq. Mi.
City’s Population (2010): 186,440,124th most populous in US
City’s Population Density: 1,695/ People per Sq. Mi.
Downtown Street Widths: 132’
Downtown Block Size: 660’ by 660’ grid
Demonym: Salt Laker
Climate: Subhumid, Avg. High: 91O F, Avg. Low: 21O F
PORTLAND, OR
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
(Wikipedia)
Brett Meek and Jamie Fogle | URBN 6652 | April 20, 2016
(Wikipedia)
Does size matter? A critique of two urban block sizes and the affects on walkability 4
Development Forces
Front Street | “Front Street in 1910”, Web. 24 March 2016.
Main Street | Savage, D. Charles Roscoe Savage. “Sall Lake City main street”, 1890. Web. 24, March 2016.
Development Forces:
Development Forces:
• The original 1843 “Portland” land claim of William Overton was the basis of the
grid system. The unique street grid of Portland was developed by Thomas Brown in
1845. He surveyed and developed a 200x200 foot grid for the first sixteen blocks of
the city that extended two blocks west of the river and eight blocks running parallel
to the river rather than true north points. This provided emphasis on the importance
of the river and the city’s future growth through commerce. (City of Portland Bureau
of Planning, 2)
• The ideas for the layout of Salt Lake City originated with Joseph Smith, the founder
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (McIntire)
• Smith’s concept of city planning originated in what was known as the City of Zion
plan, prepared in 1833. The plan called for a grid pattern with streets 132 feet
wide, multi-acre lots within each city block, backyard gardens, houses set 25 feet
back from the street and staggered so that no house directly faced another on the
opposite side of the street. (McIntire)
• One year after Portland’s incorporation as a city in 1851, a park strip extending
through the city from north to south was deeded to the City for public use, known as • The story goes that Brigham Young, who led Mormon settlers to the West in 1847,
directed that the streets of Salt Lake City be made sufficiently wide so that a wagon
the ‘Park Blocks’. (City of Portland Bureau of Planning, 12)
team could turn around without “resorting to profanity”. (McIntire)
PORTLAND, OR
Brett Meek and Jamie Fogle | URBN 6652 | April 20, 2016
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Does size matter? A critique of two urban block sizes and the affects on walkability 5
Downtown Comparisons
GoogleEarth Pro, web. 04 Apr 2016
PORTLAND, OR
GoogleEarth Pro, web. 04 Apr 2016
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Block Figure Ground
Downtown Block Size: 200’ by 200’ grid
Right-of-Way Width: 60’
Street Area: 40%
Block Area: 60%
Area Shown: 1/4 Mile radius
Downtown Block Size: 660’ by 660’ grid
Right-of-Way Width: 132’
Street Area: 30%
Block Area: 70%
Area Shown: 1/4 Mile radius
PORTLAND, OR
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Brett Meek and Jamie Fogle | URBN 6652 | April 20, 2016
Does size matter? A critique of two urban block sizes and the affects on walkability 7
Street Frontage and Intersections
Street Frontage (1/4 mi. radius): 79,200 linear feet or 15 miles Street Frontage (1/4 mi. radius): 28,480 linear feet or 5.4 miles
Number of Intersections: 76
Number of Intersections: 9
PORTLAND, OR
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Brett Meek and Jamie Fogle | URBN 6652 | April 20, 2016
Does size matter? A critique of two urban block sizes and the affects on walkability 8
1/4 Mile Radius Diagram
Intersection of SW Yamhill Street and SW 6th Avenue
State Street and Main Street
Buckman Neighborhood
Capitol Hill Neighborhood
PORTLAND, OR
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Brett Meek and Jamie Fogle | URBN 6652 | April 20, 2016
Does size matter? A critique of two urban block sizes and the affects on walkability 9
Nolli Map
Higher Density
Lower Density
Buildings typically occupy entire block
More flexibility in block configuration
Rigid formal repetition
Less repetition
More diversity of use and architectural character
Less diversity of use
Parking is minimal
Significant surface parking
PORTLAND, OR
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Brett Meek and Jamie Fogle | URBN 6652 | April 20, 2016
Does size matter? A critique of two urban block sizes and the affects on walkability 10
Street Character
SW 5th St and SW Alder St | Google Maps Street View, web. 02 Apr 2016
PORTLAND, OR | SW 5TH STREET
Brett Meek and Jamie Fogle | URBN 6652 | April 20, 2016
Main St and Broadway | Google Maps Street View, web. 02 Apr 2016
SALT LAKE CITY, UT | MAIN STREET
Does size matter? A critique of two urban block sizes and the affects on walkability 11
Public Amenity Character
SW Morrison St and Broadway | Google Maps Street View, web. 02 Apr 2016
Main St and Broadway | Google Maps Street View, web. 02 Apr 2016
GoogleEarth Pro, web. 04 Apr 2016
GoogleEarth Pro, web. 04 Apr 2016
PORTLAND, OR | PIONEER SQUARE
Brett Meek and Jamie Fogle | URBN 6652 | April 20, 2016
SALT LAKE CITY, UT | GALLIVAN CENTER
Does size matter? A critique of two urban block sizes and the affects on walkability 12
Walkability Indicators
PORTLAND, OR | SALT LAKE CITY, UT
D.A.Horchner/ Designworkshop, 2005
Walkability Principles
D.A. Horchner/ Designworkshop, 2014
D.A. Horchner/ Designworkshop, 2002
TEN PRINCIPLES OF WALKABILITY (Speck)
The Useful Walk
1 | Put cars in their place
2 | Mix the uses
3 | Get the parking right
4 | Let transit work
The Safe Walk
5 | Protect the pedestrian
6 | Welcome bikes
Brett Meek and Jamie Fogle | URBN 6652 | April 20, 2016
The Comfortable Walk
7 | Shape the spaces
8 | Plant trees
The Interesting Walk
9 | Make friendly and unique faces
10 | Pick your winners
Does size matter? A critique of two urban block sizes and the affects on walkability 14
Walk Score, Bike Score, Transit Score for study area intersection
What makes a neighborhood walkable?
A CENTER: Walkable neighborhoods have a center, whether it’s a main street or a
public space.
PEDESTRIAN DESIGN: Buildings are close to the street, parking lots are relegated to
the back.
PEOPLE: Enough people for businesses to flourish and for public transit to run
frequently.
SCHOOLS AND WORKPLACES: Close enough that most residents can walk from their
homes.
MIXED INCOME, MIXED USE: Affordable housing located near businesses.
COMPLETE STREETS: Streets designed for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit.
PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACE: Plenty of public places to gather and play.
Walkscore. Web. 28 March 2016
Walkscore. Web. 28 March 2016
Portland has an average walkscore of 63, bike score of 72 and
transit score of 51.
Salt Lake City has an average walkscore of 55, bike score of 69
and transit score of 43.
14th most walkable large city in the US.
Salt Lake City has some public transportation and is somewhat
bikeable.
Portland has good public transportation and is very bikeable.
PORTLAND, OR
Brett Meek and Jamie Fogle | URBN 6652 | April 20, 2016
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Does size matter? A critique of two urban block sizes and the affects on walkability 15
Human health, Well-being and Economic Indicators
2014 Best-Performing Cities. Milken Institute, web.
OBESITY RANKINGS | 2014
2014 Obesity Rankings, Gallup Healthway Well-Being Index, web.
ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE | 2014
2015 Community Well-Being Rankings and Access to Care, Gallup Healthway
Well-Being Index
WELL-BEING INDEX | 2015
Brett Meek and Jamie Fogle | URBN 6652 | April 20, 2016
D.A. Horchner/ Designworkshop, 2005
Does size matter? A critique of two urban block sizes and the affects on walkability 16
Sa
519
Redwood Rd
6 209 500
462
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470 463
Airport
See oth
Transportation
Infrastructure
Indicators
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River Trail
21
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PORTLAND, OR
SALT
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900 W
State
900 W
900 E
300 W
Redwood Rd
700 E
500 E
Portland TriMet, web. 05 Apr 2016
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Does size matter? A critique of two urban block sizes and the affects on walkability 17
So
Brett Meek and Jamie Fogle | URBN 6652 | April 20, 2016
Utah Transit Authority, web. 05 Apr 2016
Conclusion
D.A.Horchner/Designworkshop, 2002
Small Block and Large Block Comparisons
Strengths:
City Legibility
­Ease of navigation
­Development Over Time
­Easily adaptable to changing land uses
­Promotes reu­ sability and urban infill redevelopment
­Fosters small business and entrepreneurial spirit
­Human Experience
­Finer grain urban fabric
­Greater diversity of land use & architectural character
­More street frontage / grounds­ tory activation
Transportation­
­Greater pedestrian and vehicular connectivity
­Decrease in traffic congestion
­Variety of alternate routes
Weaknesses:
­Land Use Efficiency
­Lower developable land ratio
­Higher infrastructure & maintenance costs
­Rigidity
­Less flexibility in parcel assemblage
­Fewer options for formal arrangement
PORTLAND, OR
Brett Meek and Jamie Fogle | URBN 6652 | April 20, 2016
Strengths:
­Land Use Efficiency
­Higher developable land use ratios
­Lower infrastructure & maintenance costs
­Human Experience
­Quality over quantity approach to streetscape
­Adequate space for complete street amenities
­Flexibility
­Many options for parcel assemblage
­Numerous options for block and building configuration
Weaknesses:
­­Land Use
­Less practical in residential applications
­Encourage large scale “big box” development
­Transportation
­Higher potential for traffic and congestion
­Fewer alternate routes
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Does size matter? A critique of two urban block sizes and the affects on walkability 19
The noticable differences between
the Portland and Salt Lake City
block size are evident and a logical
assumption is that the smaller block
size makes for a more desirable
pedestrian experience.
The case study critique reveals
that the smaller block size has
limited impact on walkability and
the resulting health, well-being and
economic benefits.
PORTLAND, OR
Brett Meek and Jamie Fogle | URBN 6652 | April 20, 2016
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
Does size matter? A critique of two urban block sizes and the affects on walkability 20
Bibliography
City of Portland Bureau of Planning. Midtown Blocks Historic Assessment.
Sept. 2004: 2. Web. 07 Apr. 2016.
IBID, 12.
McIntire, Hank. “History of Salt Lake’s Grid System.” Wide Streets of Salt
Lake: n.page. Web. 9 Dec. 2012.
Speck, Jeff. Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a
Time. New York: North Point Press, 2013. Print.
Wikipedia. Portland, Oregon. Web. 31 March 2016.
Wikipedia. Salt Lake City. Web. 31 March 2016.
Brett Meek and Jamie Fogle | URBN 6652 | April 20, 2016
Does size matter? A critique of two urban block sizes and the affects on walkability 21