Walkability

So, Matt Yglesias posts this pic about the “walkability” of DC neighborhoods and thinks it proves some grand point about poverty and mobility (or lack thereof). The red areas, particularly that area east of the Anacostia river, are very unwalkable. The business core of the city (the office buildings; the federal government; the tourist traps) are very, very walkable. Look at all those rich people, walking around like they own the city!

But allow me to posit an alternate theory: Anacostia isn’t a walkable neighborhood because businesses don’t reside there. Businesses don’t reside there because it is a fundamentally dangerous neighborhood in which to be a business–stick up artists roam the streets with impunity. The culture east of the river has failed. And that failure has led to a lower quality of life.

Just a thought. Instead of promoting class warfare, maybe we should try and figure out WHY those poor neighborhoods are so desolate.