Walkability and built environment

Table of Contents

Abstract

Acknowledgements

Table of contents

Chapter 1. Introduction
1.1. Background
1.2. Walkability: The definition
1.3. Aims and objectives
1.4. Research significance
1.5. Methodology

Chapter 2. Walkability: Relation and context
2.1. Walking and the built environment
2.2. Benefits of walkability
2.3. Geelong's past vision
2.4. Geelong's approaches: Walkable friendly environment

Chapter 3. Literature review
3.1. Background
3.2. Analysis and synthesis
3.3. Literature review matrix

Chapter 4. Empirical study
4.1. Observation study: Description of method and data
4.2. Serial Vision
4.3. Quantitative evaluation
4.4. Qualitative evaluation
4.5. Observation study: Results and analysis

Chapter 5. Discussion and Conclusion
5.1. Discussion
5.2. Conclusions

Bibliography

List of figures

List of abbreviation

Abstract

Car-centric urban design practice, the principle with which most cities in the world are being built today or since mid-century of 20th century, is affecting the essence of human­scale design or pedestrian friendly/ walkable friendly design. With the rise of numerous problems already in the world with excessive use of non-renewable energy, the talks and discussions are being conducted for the ways of reduction of use of non-renewable energy on global basis, or for the formulation of alternative ways of high use of energy. Not only from problems-related-with-energy perspective, but from social, health, and economic viewpoint as well, just prioritising car-driven approach seems to no longer serve the built environment in a positive way. Several planners, designers and built environment professionals have put forwarded words to re-think about the way urban environments are being built today, and new approaches of prioritising from human-scale perspective i.e. pedestrian or walkable friendly built environment to be explored and given a thought. This research paper concentrates on investigating the deeper understanding about walkable friendly urban environment, the need of today's world.

In this paper, framework that shows the relationship of walking activity and behaviour with surrounding physical features, is derived from literature review for the systematic visual assessment. There is no clear and a comprehensive understanding about one particular way that depicts influencing factors of walkability, the corelates between the urban environment and walking behaviour not explained clearly, or if explained the method is somewhat complex and inflexible. Throughout existing knowledge in literature, there is lack of one consistent method of assessment. This research has attempted in finding simpler methods/solution, incorporating with existing knowledge and methods to investigate underlying factors possibly informing about the degree of walkability scale of an urban environment. The study of observation is done on the commercial streets in the central Geelong with the selection of variety of streets form and functions.

The findings are separated in qualitative and quantitative evaluation through different methods derived and refined from already existing knowledge, opening up new knowledge about underlying relationship that correlates between the people's perception and built environment in one unit. Geelong, nominated in UNESCO city of design, has opportunities in accepting new ideas regarding urban regeneration and intervention. This research or other similar type of research could assist in understanding urban fabric of the city in detail, see the hidden entities through the work of findings in terms of giving a thought about creating walkable- friendly urban environment.

The study of urban design qualities i.e. imageability, enclosure, human scale, complexity and transparency corelated with major physical elements of an urban environment, has been done with mapping exercise and ‘shades of black' analysis to obtain new results, that could possibly inform about walkability in both smaller and bigger picture. Keeping in mind, the complexity of the walkability, the methods being used is flexible in alteration and modification. The quantitative finding and qualitative finding this paper have achieved in the assessment of urban design qualities could present a new outlook in how the measurement of subjective entities can be done is simpler method and process.

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor Dr. John Rollo for his continuous guidance, knowledge and support. His generosity in willingness to impart knowledge along with providing extensive advice, is purely commendable. I would also like to express my gratitude to Dr. Vittoria Grossi, Student Academic Support Services for her sharing knowledge about thesis writing.

A grateful thanks to the Deakin school of Architecture and Built Environments for providing me an opportunity to undertake my master's thesis degree and providing a favourable environment even in hard time of Covid-19 pandemic. And, big thanks to my fellow master's student friends, family and relatives for their warm and continuous support, encouragement and guidance.

In particular, my special thanks to my parents and my siblings for incessant love, support and motivation specially in the uncertain and hard time, in a foreign land, which have helped me push to all the way here.

And above all, my greatest thanks and love to God.

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Background

The issue of walkable-friendly urban environment is being discussed lately, and the influence it may induce in terms of benefits, has been of increasing importance. ‘Walkability' means how walkable-friendly an urban environment is. Speck (2012) points benefits of walkability in three sectors - wealth, health and sustainability. Arup (2016) indicates sixteen areas of benefits under the main benefits as - social, economic, environmental and political. The term ‘walkability' is likely introduced because many critical thinkers like Lewis Mumford, Jane Jacobs, William H. Whyte and Jan Gehl (Arup, 2016) had questioned on the sole approach of car-centric urban design rather than human-centric approach after late mid-centuries, and many other researchers and scholars have presented similar thought. Most recent work of Speck (2012) in his book, walkable city, has explained the significance of walkable urban environment in depth. So, the drawbacks of car-centric design and benefits of human-centric design might have informed a new approach in shaping the urban environment, directed by ‘walkability'. Therefore, there is growing need of knowledges about the relation of walkability with the built environment.

Since, walkability is not a linear issue, and is multidisciplinary in nature - it is a complex organisation in attaining a generic method that guides walkability in a built environment, evaluates the status of the environment on the basis of walkability and informs factors clearly that influence walkability. However, “Walkability studies have provided enough evidence through statistical analysis that walking behaviour is related to the condition of the built environment” Choi (2012).

Choi (2012) implies correlation analysis between the amount of time spent on walking by individuals and different attributes of the urban environment is being used in order to identify walkability factors within built environment in the area of researching about walkability. According to Ewing and Handy (2009), in the past few years, many tools have emerged for the measurement of quality of walking environment. Across the US, the researchers, local governments and community groups use generically called walking audit instruments.

1.2 Walkability: The definition

Merriam-Webster defines walkable as ' capable of or suitable for being walked'.

The terms walkability is referred on various context in present scenario, but it appears the term is poorly defined.

Southworth (2005) defines walkability as “the extent to which the built environment supports and encourages walking by providing for pedestrian comfort and safety, connecting people with varied destinations within a reasonable amount of time and effort, and offering visual interest in journeys throughout the network” “Walkability is a quantitative and qualitative measurement of how inviting or un-inviting an area is to pedestrians. Walking matters more and more to towns and cities as the connection between walking and socially vibrant neighbourhoods is becoming clearer. Built environments that promote and facilitate walking — to stores, work, school and amenities — are better places to live, have higher real estate values, promote healthier lifestyles and have higher levels of social cohesion” (Jane's Walk 2013).

According to Speck (2012), his general theory of walkability explains four main conditions for a built environment to be defined as walkable, or to create a walkable- friendly environment. These conditions are useful, safe, comfortable and interesting that support walkability. ‘Useful' refers to the accessibility of aspects of daily life needs in an easy and organised manner, ‘safe' refers to feel safe from automobiles and other intimidating factors in an urban environment, ‘comfortable' refers to buildings and landscapes serving as ‘outdoor living room' and ‘interesting' refers to pleasing walking experience factors along the journey with friendly faces and signs of humanity abound.

1.3 Aims and Objectives

The aim of this research paper is to approach and investigate possible methods of objectively analyse seemingly subjective parameters of urban design in relation with their influence in walkability. It will assess the physical features, with a degree of objectivity by an observer, present in an urban environment (streetscape) that shape the qualities of urban design. As previous research methods for an objective analysis of the urban environment in regard with walkability are quite complex, this report attempts in finding simpler method that can depict the range of walkability through qualitative and quantitative analysis in simultaneous manner.

The objectives of this report are:

- To identify methods and processes of finding out relation of perception of people with the surrounding urban environment and its walkable friendliness
- To investigate deeper understanding of the influence of built environment with walking behaviour of the people
- To consider new approach and method of objective - analysis of subjective parameters of an urban environment.
- To investigate the refinement of used methods and processes of the visual assessment in urban scenario
- To investigate the determinants that affect walkability in micro and macro scale

1.4 Research significance

As discussed earlier, creating walkable environment is beneficial in several ways. Since, the aspects of walkability are associated with so many factors, the walkable friendly approach in design might not only support walkability, but also assist in different approach for the creation of well-designed spaces. “Walkability can be a proxy for better environments that generate investment, are more sustainable (in economic and social terms as well as environmental)” as mentioned by Forsyth (2015) also suggests walkable friendly places are not just limited to, that are simply good to be at. The sense of place of an urban environment is well appreciated by people and tourists if it gives importance to promote walkable-friendly environment (Shamsuddin & Hassan & Bilyamin, 2012).

This paper attempts in better understanding of the qualitative and quantitative variables of an urban environment possibly influencing the walking behaviour of pedestrian, by refining the methods and measures used for the assessment of co-relation between walking behaviour and built environment. Also, the investigation of qualitative and quantitative factors simultaneously is attempted and is assessed if they co-relate in terms of influencing walking behaviour of people. The investigation of the attempts and approaches performed in this research could be a guideline or framework for performing future research.

1.5 Methodology

Literature reviews and empirical study are chosen as methods of research in this report. Qualitative and quantitative both methods are used for assessing data and information. The data and information extracted from the field visit study, seemingly showcasing subjective area, are processed and attempted to see from the lens of degree of objectivity.

“Urban design qualities are different from qualities such as sense of comfort, sense of safely and level of interest that reflect how an individual reacts to a place [...] Perceptions are just that perceptions. They may produce different reactions in different people. They can be assessed with a degree of objectivity by outside observers, individual reactions cannot” (Ewing and Handy, 2009).

Conceptual framework for the influence of walking behaviour (Ewing & Handy, 2009) is used as framework that informed the field study parameters. Ewing & Handy (2009) have used this framework to establish consideration of the result of perceptions from the physical features, as how they intervene or mediate walking behaviour within the built environment. For recording data, and assessing information, several methods such as visual analysis (Gordon Cullen, 2007), measuring perpetual qualities (Ewing & Handy, 2009) and evaluating experiential qualities of streetscapes (Rollo & Barker, n.d.) are adopted in this paper. The new approach of analysis called ‘shades of black and white' analysis is attempted in this research- the idea behind being showcasing the result in the value of range rather than in number, giving consideration for the complexity of walkability to analyse in exact number.

There are several limitations in this area of research. One is, the study of human element as the potential factor influencing walkability within built environment is avoided due to possibility of procuring misleading data caused by global pandemic- Covid-19 disease. Another one is, only commercial streets of the Central Geelong are taken into consideration for the field study of which only significant physical features are recorded and assessed- following the conceptual framework for the influence of walking behaviour (Ewing & Handy, 2009).

Objective 1

Abbildung in dieser Leseprobe nicht enthalten

Figure 1.1 Methodology flowchart

Chapter 2: Walkability: Relation and Context

2.1 Walking and the built environment

The response people experience in and around the built environment has lot to do with how the environment is designed and that has to be taken into consideration aligned with the reaction people can have. Gehl (2010, p.118) argues ‘the starting point is simple: universal human activities. Cities must provide good conditions for people to walk, stand, sit, watch, listen and talk'. He also points out quality design comes from small urban scale. Whether people can walk, sit, listen and talk inside buildings, in the neighbourhood or in town should be considered for their direct senses. He points out the pleasurable walk should be free and unhampered, without being pushed and shoved by others, and without weaving in and out. Gehl (2010, p.120) implies ‘there is more to walking than walking'. He says walking is basically a linear movement that brings people from place to place, however, walking has more definition and effects. Walking activity can be changed into other activities like standing, sitting, running, dancing, climbing etc. Walking is a form of transport, but it is also a potential beginning or an occasion for many other activities.

Walking activity is the natural instinct people have. The necessity of inclusion of pedestrian- friendly spaces over car- friendly spaces seems the need of todays' scenario. Gehl (2010) suggests pedestrians have always been part of the places: walking, moving freely even 100 years ago, cities were majorly province for pedestrians. With the invasion of cars in the cities, pedestrians were pushed towards sidewalks which are often shrinking and crowded — which are unacceptable and a problem worldwide.

The walking activity is, however, limited in terms of capacity of people for walking. The co-relation between walking limitation of people and built spaces can have affecting or guiding factor in terms of thinking about walkability in built environment. Gehl (2010, p.127) claims about 500m being an acceptable walking distance, however, it is not an absolute truth. He says if comfort is low the walk will be short, while if the route is interesting, rich in experience and comfortable, pedestrians forget the distance and enjoy experiences as they happen. This implies it is probable that not just physical features in an urban space, but also perception of the people or the experiential factor that comes from the subjective response people have with the surrounding is to be taken into consideration as well, before concluding the relation between walkability and built environment.

Speck (2012, p.9) points out ‘walkability is both an end and a means, as well as a measure. While the physical and social rewards of walking are many, walking is perhaps most useful as it contributes to urban vitality and most meaningful as an indicator of that vitality.'. This suggests there are several benefits an urban space can draw from walkability perspective. Many of the western- cities since mid-century have prioritised car-centric urban planning and design, thinking less about pedestrian, intentionally or by accident, and Australian cities aren't exception. With the rising issues regarding pedestrian-friendly urban spaces over car­friendly environment, the need for the discussion of planning and design of cities considering walkability feature seems legit in the present context. The report, Arup (2016) presents numerous benefits shifting from car-centric to human-scale; areas of benefit includes social benefits (health and wellbeing, safety, place -making, social cohesion and equality), economic benefits (local economy, city attractiveness, urban regeneration cost savings), environment benefits (virtuous cycles, ecosystem services, liveability, transport efficiency) and political benefits (leadership, urban governance, sustainable development planning opportunities).

2.2 Benefits of walkability

"Get walkability right and so much of the rest will follow”.

-Jeff Speck - Walkable City, 2012

Arup global (2016) prepares report listing 50 benefits of walking which is achievable and practical. Benefits include social aspect, economic aspect environmental aspect. Jeff Speck (2018) points out numerous reasons such as economic, health environmental, equity, community to invest in walkability.

2.2.1 Social benefits

The report, Cities alive (Arup.2016) mentions social and health benefit of walkability. An active and healthier lifestyle is the outcome of a walkable environment, which has, safe walking trails and infrastructures around. According to WHO, "physical inactivity has been identified as the 4th leading risk factor for global mortality causing an estimated 3.2m deaths" (cited in Arup, 2016). The physical activity among people have decreased 32% in past 44 years in the United states and 45% in 18 years in China - resulting in rise in car ownership in urban content and ‘passive' mode of transportation. (Arup, 2016). Therefore, all the statistics suggests degrading walking infrastructure, congested traffic, degrading recreational facilities environmental problems are causes and effects of this phenomenon.

Mental health and happiness are other benefits of walkable city - improving mood, reducing stress, anxiety and depression. One of the reasons of isolation is car-dependency, leading to risk of affecting mental health, and social deficit - making people less happy, that could come from longer drives.

Arup (2016, p.41) states ‘a walkable environment can naturally aid the prevention of crimes. Summer streets' study (cited in Arup, 2016 p.41) implies that since the 1980s, the theory suggests that a neglected urban environment may encourage vandalism and crimes' escalation.

Vibrant urban experience could be achieved through establishment of walkable streets - which have potential of shaping the environment - attractive public realm. If the walking is enjoyable, safe and entertaining, people are willing to walk more. And, people tend to play, shop, run or walk if there are more events happening in the public space, which allow people to experience the open streets.

Arup (2016) indicates the experience walking' can instil in people about the places and cities at the human scale, and it improves their sense of place. For example, Superkilen, an urban park, Copenhagen, which addresses multicultural community and is one of the most ethnically diverse areas provides people with sense of belonging and sense of place. Walking and interacting with landscape elements and urban furniture give people a life­time experience, and hence make the place more thriving, interactive and vibrant. ‘Enhancing the sense of place can raise awareness around the local history, helping communities to build a collective memory and a cultural identity Arup (2016). The report, also says pedestrian-oriented places expose art and culture within the street life, giving the place and identity, and providing artistic and cultural expression in a unique way. It is more likely vibrant and liveable public spaces feature public street art and open-air cultural events. Combination of arts, architecture, street art, public art provides interesting element for walking, attracting people to the streets and public spaces - providing an opportunity for converting places into destinations.

William H. Whyte, (cited in Arup, 2016) p.48) pointed out, 'peoplewatching is one of the primary activities shared by different classes of people in public spaces, which suggests meeting, sharing and mixing are the opportunities that walkable environment can create. Public spaces act as the stage for public life, while also acts as ‘mirror' for social fabric. Exchange of values, beliefs and experiences happen when people meet, greet and undertake other social activities. - fostering social integration and inclusiveness.

2.2.2 Economic benefits

Research has shown positive result regarding improved walkability with raised local retail spend, and creation of more job opportunities. Recent research commissioned by Living Streets shows that making places better for walking can boost footfall and trading by up to 40%. Local, social and economic vitality is obtained from improved public spaces - and fostering local independent businesses, and economic success of local shops.

The report, Cities Alive (Arup, 2016) suggests the issues such as 'food deserts' is created as the result of car-dependency in suburban malls allowing less life in urban areas. A dense and walkable urban network could improve the presence of local shops and street markets, independent retailing, improvement in delivery of variety of goods and services, local employment and start-up opportunities.

Demetrio, (cited in Arup, 2016) claims the identity of city is characterised by how its places are defined in terms of cultural and social interaction. Since the 1980s, cities like Barcelona are more focused in establishing new parks, squares and promenades, with regeneration of waterfront and reclamation - by demolishing former warehouses and factories. On top of that, more and more cities are branding and marketing and investing in walkability which is supposed to contribute the cities' liveability at first place.

Arup (2016, p. 59) states for tourists walking is the best way to experience a city since it increases imageability' of a place - the quality that makes it recognisable and memorable'. Public spaces that are interesting to walk by is achieved through walkability, thus, an indicator for how tourism can be affected by a city's infrastructure. - establishing pleasurable moments between destinations, and increasing vibrancy of local services, shops and landmarks can provide a big contribution.

2.2.3 Environmental benefits

Speck (2012) says 'The more walkable we make our cities, the less they make us pollute If our society is going to slow climate change, it will be by reorienting our cities around transit, biking, and walking. The pedestrian mobility can impact hugely on the reduction of use of non-renewable resources.'

Pedestrian-oriented spaces and walking infrastructures are comparatively more compact than car-dominated infrastructure reducing environmental impacts and use of fewer materials (Arup, 2016). And also, air pollution is addressed with the decrease of vehicle emissions and the improvement of air quality - with encouragement in pedestrian strategy rather than motorist approach. Another environmental benefit includes noise reduction, which could be achieved through design of spaces with free coverage and landscaping and promoting walking and improving walkability. Green walkable areas are not just pleasing and interesting to walk but it contributes heavily in environmental health.

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