Understanding the characteristics that shape mobility could help to achieve more sustainable transport systems. A considerable body of scientific studies tries to determine these characteristics at the urban level. However, there is a lack of studies analyzing those factors for the heterogeneous zones existing in the suburbs of big cities. The study presented in this paper intends to fill this gap, in the context of two metropolitan corridors in the Madrid Region. Correlation analyses are used to examine how mobility patterns are affected by socioeconomic and urban form variables. Then, a cluster analysis is carried out to classify the types of zones we may find in the suburbs. Results show that the main characteristics leading towards higher car use are low urban density, few local activities, a high percentage of children, and a low percentage of seniors. As for the variable distance to the city center, it does not explain car use. Moreover, some remote areas have many walking trips. This is well understood in the cluster analysis; there are zones far away from the city center but that are dense and well provided for, which work as self-sufficient urban centers. Results reinforce the theories underlying polycentrism as a solution to the urban sprawl challenge.

In Spain, fifteen cities have been declared World Heritage Cities by UNESCO. This implies a responsibility to conserve all the heritage wealth of these places. However, what is the point of heritage if it cannot be known and visited? In order to be able to do this for all people, in equal and inclusive conditions, it is essential to consider Accessibility and Universal Design principles. This is a challenge that requires a personalised study in places that were precisely built with the idea of being inaccessible. In particular, the study of the urban fabric and pedestrian itineraries are the determining spaces that this article develops. The aim of this study is to determine the keys and possible guidelines for the definition of urban accessibility indicators in the routes of historic city centres. For this purpose, significant routes have been sought in historic centres from the accessibility point of view: areas of high pedestrian traffic (in many cases for tourist reasons). Thus, six of the fifteen historic quarters of the World Heritage Cities in Spain have been selected for the study, with examples of good accessibility practices and difficulties that can be identified in their itineraries. For this analysis, an initial study of the existing documentation on the subject (secondary information sources) is carried out, in addition to a direct analysis (primary information source) of the graphic documentation compiled in each of these places. Subsequently, a complementary analysis will be made of some examples of good practice in pedestrian routes in historic city centres in cities in other countries. On the basis of this preliminary analysis, a comparison will be made to establish common points and singularities among the different case studies first, and then with other cities. This diagnosis provides results that are identified as “keys to consider in the intervention on pedestrian routes in historic centres”. These keys not only address issues of mobility, but also location, orientation, understanding, etc., thus addressing a holistic consideration of accessibility as a fundamental principle for all people, and in particular for the elderly sector, which is one of the groups that is clearly growing and which, without necessarily having to have a severe or recognised disability, needs an accessible environment that is easy to use. As a main conclusion, it can be said that the results of this study do not only have an internal application for these cities but can be perfectly extrapolated as a basis for the elaboration of specific indicators for any historic city centre in any city in the world, considering the necessary adaptation to the specific characteristics of each city.

ResumenEl presente estudio pretende evaluar desde una perspectiva crítica el nivel de inclusión de las personas con discapacidad en los nuevos modelos de ciudad de proximidad, como es la ciudad de los 15 minutos de París. Se han establecido tres fases de análisis: recopilación de criterios basados en la revisión bibliográfica para posteriormente evaluar el modelo de Ciudad de 15 minutos de París; distribución de una encuesta, comparando las preferencias reveladas y las preferencias declaradas; y síntesis de ambos a través de entrevistas semi-estructuradas para estudiar in-situ los obstáculos urbanos que impiden la correcta interacción de las personas con discapacidad y la ciudad. Uno de los resultados más relevantes es la importancia del transporte público tiene en la ciudad de proximidad, descubriéndose como una pieza esencial para conseguir la movilidad inclusiva en los modelos de ciudad actuales.AbstractThis study pretends to evaluate the level of inclusiveness of people with disability in new city of proximity models, as it is the case of the 15-minute city of Paris, from a critical perspective. Three stages have been established for the analysis: criteria compilation based on the state of the art to evaluate the 15-minute City model of Paris afterwards; distribution of a survey, comparing revealed preferences and declared preferences; and synthesis of both in the form of semi-structured interviews where in-place cases of urban obstacles will be studied, as far as impediments for proper interaction between people with disabilities and the city is concerned. One of the most relevant results is the importance of public transport in the city of proximity, turning into an essential part to achieve inclusive mobility in today’s city models.

This article seeks to analyze different city plans in terms of proximity and accessibility. A total of 6 highly-recognized pedestrian models were chosen to compare their inclusive micro-mobility measures, not only in international contexts (Paris, Melbourne or Portland); but also a closer look will be taken at Spain, as it has managed to present its own referents (Valladolid, Vitoria and Pontevedra). A qualitative approach study was undergone to assess the real extent of inclusive proximity criteria, triggering a more in-depth, critical analysis by recognizing implicit, non-explicit, inclusive micro-mobility measures. The findings show disconnections between accessibility and proximity policies, mainly regarding exclusion of explicit accessibility measures and pedestrian mobility comfortability.

As an active mode of transportation, walking has proven to be an effective strategy to tackle environmental problems while improving health. The current paper highlights the main factors that either encourage or deter pedestrians in their daily trips by analyzing the arisen discussions in three different Focus Groups (FGs), which were later synthesized into factors ranking according to their positive or negative outcomes. The results help identify these factors and show how a variety of target groups (seniors, young adults, middle-aged adults, divided by male and female perspective) perceive the city in different ways: younger adults prioritize accessibility and quality of the infrastructure, females highlighted the insecurity suffered during nighttime trips, and older adults emphasized the relevance of street maintenance. Finally, the benefits of walking on physical and mental health are viewed positively amongst all target groups, considering walking as a means to help people reduce stress.