This indicator is part of Mixed use areas.

Indicator description:

This indicator is closely related to Goal 3, Indicator 23.1: Smart Growth America Sprawl Index, but focuses on only one factor, the strength of metropolitan centers (centeredness). Smart Growth America used this factor, as well as others, to measure sprawl in large metropolitan areas. Centeredness indicates a concentration of either population or employment and closely aligns with the “centers and corridors” development concept of the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan. Smart Growth America ranked 83 metropolitan areas on centeredness and assigned each one a score. A score of 100 is average, with a higher score indicating more centeredness and less sprawl. Data are shown for Albuquerque and six other Southwest benchmark cities. 

Why is this indicator relevant?

Centers and corridors are concentrations of housing, social, and economic activity that contribute to business success and support alternative transportation modes and multipurpose trip making. Centeredness measures development in the downtown area and the presence of important sub-centers within the metropolitan area. Compact development in centers and corridors allows for greater access to housing, jobs, and commercial activity with a broader choice of transportation modes for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Data Source:
"Measuring Sprawl and Its Impact", Smart Growth America, 2004.

What can we tell from the data?

• Albuquerque’s centeredness score is substantially better than average, 12th among all 83 metropolitan areas studied and second among the six other Southwest benchmark cities.

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