Walkability is becoming an increasing concern in urban planning.  While there has always been a focus on transportation (typically single occupancy vehicles or mass transit), the research on the pedestrian connections necessary to facilitate the use of multi-modal transportation or how people travel the short distances between a form of transportation and their destination (i.e. from a parking lot to a store entrance or from school to the bus stop at the campus entrance).  Walkability is an extremely powerful tool in the development of livable and empowered communities because it creates an environment that provides residents with ample opportunities to interact with one another.  There is also a feeling of safety that accompanies a neighborhood that is frequented by pedestrians.  People feel safer in a place where others are willing to walk around. (More after the jump)