What does walkability mean in a desert city?
A planning idea that works somewhere with mild summers may not work the same way in Desert Hot Springs.
DHS 2040 therefore looks at pedestrian comfort alongside pedestrian infrastructure.
That means considering:
- shade
- distance
- street design
- building orientation
- trees and drought-tolerant landscaping
- bus stops
- rest areas
- crossings
- materials
- nighttime activity
- and summer temperatures.
The question is not whether every part of DHS should become walkable in the same way.
The question is where better pedestrian conditions would be useful, and what is required for people to actually use them.
Existing public investment already reflects some of these issues. The Hacienda Avenue Green Corridor project includes paths, shade structures, seating, landscaping, transit-stop improvements and stormwater features.
