Gentrification in motion: Linking urban walkability and connectivity with neighborhood change

This study explores how different aspects of walkability are associated with residential and retail gentrification in U.S. cities. Using data from the American Community Survey (ACS) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Smart Locations Dataset (SLD), we examine walkability scores along with their underlying factors including the diversity of amenities, proximity to transit, and intersection density to predict gentrification. The ACS provides detailed demographic, socioeconomic, and housing data at the neighborhood level, enabling analysis of population shifts and economic changes over time. The SLD offers spatial indicators of walkability based on consistent national methodologies, making it a valuable tool for comparing built-environment characteristics across cities. Our findings show that overall walkability and neighborhood amenities are positively associated with both residential and retail gentrification. In addition, higher intersection density is linked to residential gentrification, underscoring the importance of neighborhood connectivity in attracting higher-income residents. These results highlight the complexity of gentrification and the need for more targeted policy interventions that address the various components of walkability and connectivity.