Employment and Household Mix (Jobs-Housing Balance)
Meaning:
This variable measures how closely employment opportunities and housing units are located within the same area — essentially, whether people can live near where they work.
Purpose in Walkability:
- A balanced employment and household mix reduces the need for long commutes and increases local activity, which supports walking and transit use.
- Areas that have only housing (suburbs) or only jobs (employment centers) tend to be less walkable.
In other words:
Employment and household mix represents the overall land use balance between jobs and homes, supporting walkable, mixed-use communities.