Individual Accessibility Revisited: Implications for Geographical Analysis in the Twenty‐first Century

Abstract

Analytical methods for evaluating accessibility have been based on a spatial logic through which the impedance of distance shapes mobility and urban form through processes of locational and travel decision making. These methods are not suitable for understanding individual experiences because of recent changes in the processes underlying contempora y urbanism and the increasing importance of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in people's daily lives. In this paper we argue that analysis of individual accessibility can no longer ignore the complexities and opportunities brought forth by these changes. Further, we argue that the efsect of distance on the spatial structure of contempora y cities and human spatial behavior has become much more complicated than what has been conceived in conventional urban models and concepts of accessibility. We suggest that the methods and measures formulated around the mid-twentieth centu y are becoming increasingly inadequate for grappling with the complex relationships among urban form, mobility, and individual accessibility. We consider some new possibilities for modeling individual accessibility and their implications for geographical analysis in the twenty$rst centu y.

Cognitive Mapping, Travel Behavior, and Access to Opportunity

“…While accessibility has traditionally been conceived as proximity of (or cost of travel between) one location and others, cognitive mapping research shows that physical distances are only one factor shaping how individuals make choices in a spatial context (37). Individual differences, including prior modal travel experiences, cultural preferences, and spatial abilities, shape the cognitive map and, thereby, the cognitive proximity and accessibility of potential destinations in a region.…”

Individual Contacts, Collective Patterns - Prato 1975-97, A Story of Interactions

“…This situation has started to change since the 1990s, when GISs have become available (Miller 1991;Kwan and Weber 2003) so detailed reconstruction of the movements of a large number of people has become possible (Kwan 1998;Kwan and Weber 2003). The empirical investigations enabled by GISs have shown that detailed microscopic description may yield different results from gravitational or other aggregate models.…”

“…The empirical investigations enabled by GISs have shown that detailed microscopic description may yield different results from gravitational or other aggregate models. In particular, gender differences in the usage of time, behavior induced by time windows such as working times and rush hours, as well as zooming the scale of description cannot be rendered by aggregate models (Kwan and Weber 2003).…”

Measuring the exitability of buildings: A new perspective on indoor accessibility

“…Research of inner-city mobility (Antipova, et al, 2011;Keeling, 2008), accessibility analysis and studies of optimal time-space distributions (Kwan & Weber, 2003;Neutens, et al, 2012;Neutens, et al, 2010;Versichele, et al, 2012) all reveal elements of the spatial distribution and interactions of people and businesses within the two-dimensional urban city.…”