Perceptions and Evaluation of an Urban Environment for Pedestrian Friendliness: A Case Study

Abstract

Perceptions and Evaluation of an Urban Environment for Pedestrian Friendliness:A Case Study Elizabeth Han LeePublic health is an increasingly important issue addressed from both environmental and public health sectors for the future development of urban environments. From a planning perspective, one possible solution is to increase walkability throughout the cities. Many assessment methods are being developed and administered to evaluate the quality of existing urban environments to promote walkable cities/communities. The results from using these methods provide policymakers and stakeholders with valuable information regarding the existing physical conditions of the environment. Although several US cities started to develop and refocus plans toward pedestrian-oriented policies approaches, results from this particular study determined that the quality of pedestrian environments cannot solely be determined by using available assessment tools and recommend additional analytical methods used in conjunction with source data to provide a complete perspective to successfully increase the quality of life. The condition of the physical environment -high, average, and low quality -are important contributing factors to increase walkability, yet, it is equally important to understand and consider the needs, preferences and perceptions of end users when public officials are charged with the task of developing plan proposals for pedestrian neighborhoods. This study addresses these issues through a case study examining the quality of pedestrian environment and how people perceive those surroundings of downtown San Luis Obispo.

Planning and Designing Walkable Cities: A Smart Approach

“…Beside analysis concerning spatial based features characterizing the pedestrian environment, other studies have been led under another perspective, letting to identify other important factors influencing pedestrian activity. They refer to pedestrian perception of the built environment, which is derived from subjective values (Lee, 2010) and concurs to creating urban environments that support and enhance walking activity as well. Perceptual factors correlate with the human perception of the built environment, which acts as mediator between the physical features of the environment and walking behaviour (Ewing et al, 2006) since an individual's positive or negative views of the environment may affect his/her attitude of walking (Lee, 2010).…”

“…They refer to pedestrian perception of the built environment, which is derived from subjective values (Lee, 2010) and concurs to creating urban environments that support and enhance walking activity as well. Perceptual factors correlate with the human perception of the built environment, which acts as mediator between the physical features of the environment and walking behaviour (Ewing et al, 2006) since an individual's positive or negative views of the environment may affect his/her attitude of walking (Lee, 2010). Decision to walk depends on how difficult or how ease the action to walk is perceived by people (Methorst et al, 2010), therefore it is essential to understand and to assess the influence of perception on walking behaviours.…”

“…These elements derive from how the built environment is perceived by people. Other studies have deepened the issue directly by trying to identify specific perceptual factors (Lee, 2010). Notably the study "Measuring Urban Design Qualities" led in the framework of the Active Living Research Program (Ewin et al, 2006) represents an important reference.…”