#walk-ability

Using the Nashville Civic Design Center’s built environment and health factors related to Walk-ability, Richland/West-End scores quite well. Richland/West-End is a smaller, less densely populated neighborhood that is remarkably spacious for its close proximity to downtown Nashville; there is adequate space between residential lots for comfort, yet neighbors are never far. Additionally, both the trees and sidewalks that line the roads of Richland/West-End are abundant and well kempt. Traffic and pedestrian safety is promoted by the strong presence of crosswalks and traffic signs. Additionally, the sidewalks are well maintained, and along busy West End Avenue the sidewalks are quite wide to accommodate and protect pedestrians from traffic. Richland/West-End is a model community in Nashville in terms of aesthetics. Residents’ passion for not just preserving the greenery of the area, but also actually enhancing the beauty of the landscape is omnipresent. Ultimately, the attractiveness of the neighborhood is not an added bonus, but rather more of a widely accepted and greatly treasured precedent, which ensures its presence throughout the entire neighborhood. Streets are well connected and straight with frequent intersections, which allows pedestrians to take more direct routes throughout the neighborhood, decreasing travel time and encouraging walking as a viable and efficient mode of transportation.

The potential for further walk-ability is definitely plentiful in Richland/West-End, and perhaps an internally supported movement to popularize walking and biking in place of driving to close locations could be very successful, particularly if the incentives (such as decreasing time spent in traffic gridlocks, etc.) were publicized. Furthermore, extending side-walks and bike lanes not only along the roads within the Richland/West-End area that lack them, but also connecting them to areas like downtown Nashville might encourage residents of the Richland/West-End area to pursue more alternate methods of transportation when commuting to popular destinations outside of their small community. The greater implication of changes like these is their potential to alter perceptions about how accessible by foot the locations residents typically frequent by car really are. 

Richland-West End’s acclaimed “tree-lined streets” constitute more than merely quality landscaping, as the neighborhood is a recognized Arboretumm (Fridrich & Clark Realty, LLC 2012; RWENA 2011). Furthermore, they majestically demarcate the secure network of sidewalks and crosswalks throughout the neighborhood that leave walking a viable option if desired.  On school days, crossing guards even monitor traffic around the schools to ensure that students are able to walk safely. Because the neighborhood was built before the onset of automobile transportation, the pathways to the houses lead directly to the road, in a sense inviting more and more people to utilize the sidewalks as an environmentally friendly method of transportation.