Lakewood Urbanism Guide#
A practical reference for urbanists and advocates in Lakewood, Ohio — the most walkable and densely populated city in the state.
Lakewood is a 5.53-square-mile inner-ring streetcar suburb of Cleveland with over 50,000 residents and a population density of roughly 9,400 people per square mile — comparable to Washington, D.C. Its walkable streets, mixed-use commercial corridors, and dense historic housing stock make it a natural laboratory for urbanism in the Midwest.
Quick Start#
How Lakewood’s government works — city council, wards, planning commission, and the Community Vision that guides development.
Timeline#
Key events in Lakewood’s urban development — from streetcar lines to the Lakewood Common redevelopment.
Why Lakewood?#
Lakewood occupies a unique position among American suburbs. Built out almost entirely during the streetcar era (1893–1930), it has a pre-automobile urban form — narrow lots, front porches, detached garages in the rear, and commercial corridors within walking distance of every neighborhood. The city has never operated school buses because every student lives close enough to walk.
Two major commercial corridors — Detroit Avenue and Madison Avenue — run the length of the city with a 100-year history of mixed-use buildings featuring apartments over retail. The city has seen over $65 million invested along these corridors in recent years, anchored by the $119 million Lakewood Common mixed-use development on the former hospital site.
This guide helps residents, advocates, and newcomers understand the policies, terminology, and history behind Lakewood’s urban character — and participate effectively in shaping its future.