Miami Takes a Big Step Toward Walkability

For all its sunshine, Miami doesn't have the best reputation as a walkable city. A recent Smart Growth America ranking of walkable urbanism among the 30 largest U.S. metros listed Miami 23rd, just behind Detroit. But Miami's potential is much brighter—ranked 4th on the same report's "future" walkability list—and a new project to transform a major downtown corridor takes a strong step in that direction.

The project, called Biscayne Green, involves a near-total makeover of a six-block stretch of Biscayne Boulevard (from SE 1st Street to NE 5th Street, for those keeping score at home). It's being advanced by the Miami Downtown Development Authority, which recently detailed the changes in an application to the Florida DOT. Early indications suggest the state is on board with the plan, according to Miami Today: