Walkability gains ground as a factor in property appreciation in Curitiba

For a long time, choosing where to live mainly meant evaluating square footage, number of bedrooms, parking spaces, security and proximity to work. In the high-end real estate market (j8 properties), location has always been among the main attributes of a property. Now, however, the concept of a good location is beginning to take on a new dimension: walkability. The term, also known as walkability, measures the quality of a region for traveling on foot. The analysis considers not only the distance between the residence and the main services, but also factors such as the quality of sidewalks, afforestation, lighting, security, street connectivity, public transport and the offer of commerce, gastronomy and leisure. In Curitiba, the concept is beginning to be incorporated in a more strategic way by companies in the real estate sector and is already influencing decisions related to the choice of neighborhoods for new developments. What is walkability? A neighborhood with good walkability is one where residents can carry out a significant part of their routine without relying on their car. Supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants, cafes, gyms, schools, clinics, parks and other services need to be accessible, but distance is not the only factor considered. The experience of the route also matters. Comfortable sidewalks, tree-lined streets, good lighting, adequate crossings and a feeling of safety contribute to making a given address more pleasant for those who walk. The change represents a new way of analyzing location. If previously a property was valued for being “close to everything”, the market is beginning to look for more objective ways of understanding what this proximity means and how it interferes with the resident’s routine. Why did walking matter? The appreciation of walkability is linked to a transformation in urban habits. With increasingly longer commutes and traffic taking up a significant portion of the day, free time has become an increasingly valued attribute. In this context, the property is no longer analyzed solely for what it offers within its limits. The surroundings also become part of the living experience. An apartment can combine sophisticated architecture, high-standard finishes and a complete leisure structure. But, if the resident needs to use the car to buy bread, have a coffee, go to the gym or access a pharmacy, there is a greater dependence on individual mobility. In a walkable area, these activities can be just minutes from home. For the high-end buyer, this convenience represents more than practicality: it represents time. Romeo Boalog. Pexels. Walkability and quality of life According to engineer Luiz Antoniutti, who works in the real estate development sector, walkability is directly related to quality of life. The more activities that can be carried out close to home, the less likely there will be a need for motorized travel for everyday tasks. This can mean less time in traffic, more autonomy, contact with urban space and opportunities for physical activity. Walking thus stops being just a way of getting to a certain destination and becomes part of the experience of living itself. This logic also accompanies a broader transformation in the high-end real estate market, in which luxury is increasingly associated with well-being, practicality and quality of life, and not just with ostentation. Alto da Glória enters the radar In Curitiba, walkability is already beginning to be considered in concrete market decisions. An example is the choice of Alto da Glória for a new development. According to Antoniutti, the ability to walk around the neighborhood started to play a role in defining the address. The analysis no longer considers only traditional factors, such as price per square meter, land availability and construction potential, but also observes the quality of the surroundings. The question, therefore, stops being just how much a certain piece of land is worth and starts to include a broader question: what kind of life does that address allow? Alto da Glória brings together characteristics that are becoming increasingly relevant to this new demand profile, such as strategic location, green areas, services and urban infrastructure, while maintaining a strong residential characteristic. The location starts to be measured in minutes One of the changes caused by walkability is in the way of interpreting the location. Traditionally, properties are presented by the distance to certain points: 500 meters from a shopping mall, 1 kilometer from a park or 800 meters from an avenue. But physical distance does not necessarily represent the experience of the route. Five hundred meters on a tree-lined street, with comfortable sidewalks and good infrastructure can be very different from 500 meters on an unsafe or disconnected route. Therefore, walkability brings location closer to a measure more related to routine: how many minutes does it take to get to a certain place? Five, ten or fifteen minutes of walking can make a significant difference in the perceived value of an address. The neighborhood as an extension of the property Another change is related to the concept of luxury itself. For years, high-end developments have sought to concentrate as many services and amenities as possible within condominiums: gyms, swimming pools, spas, coworking spaces, gourmet spaces and common areas. Now, the neighborhood is also considered part of this infrastructure. Having a complete gym within the condominium is a differentiator. But being close to different sports centers expands the possibilities. Having a gourmet area is convenient, but being close to good restaurants offers other experiences. Having indoor gardens is valued, but being able to walk to a park also represents a