The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), has released its first planning tool, the Walkability Workbook, through its Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program.   This free set of documents and slide presentations, developed by the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute, guides communities through the process of conducting a walkability audit to assess the pedestrian environment and form a vision for short- and long-term improvements to sidewalks and streets.  Additional tools, including one to help communities plan bikeshare programs, will be launched in 2013.