For this report, we completed our analysis on the nation’s largest 35 metropolitan regions. Given that the analysis in the report was completed on the Metro Statistical Area (MSA) and Census Block Group (CBG) levels, the first step was to identify how regionally significant an individual CBG was. In this case, MSAs are equivalent to wide regions with a mix of development, walkability levels, and economic activity; CBGs are equivalent to neighborhoods.

Regional significance was determined by using three alternative tests: 1) seeing if the block group contained a major point of interest such as a military installation, airport, or an institute of higher education with more than 1,000 students; 2) identifying if the block group was in the top 2.5% of the region’s job density or share of GDP or; 3) if the block group had at least 1.2 million square feet of office space or 340,000 square feet of retail space. These three tests are indicative of the block groups’ significance in the region’s wider economy.

The next step was to use existing data to define what block groups in the 35 metros were walkable. This was measured by determining if the block group was in the top 15% of its region based on the National Walkability Index (NWI); if the block group was in the top 15% of its region by Walkable-Oriented Development (WOD) and had intersection density above the national median; or if the block group was in the top 15% of its region by WOD and had a NWI that the EPA considers walkable.

Next, SGA compiled a team of local experts to “ground truth” the neighborhoods that were identified as walkable, comparing data-based measurements with personal knowledge and experience.