Walkability and walking for transport: characterizing the built environment using space syntax

Abstract

BackgroundNeighborhood walkability has been shown to be associated with walking behavior. However, the availability of geographical data necessary to construct it remains a limitation. Building on the concept of space syntax, we propose an alternative walkability index, space syntax walkability (SSW). This study examined associations of the full walkability index and SSW with walking for transport (WT).MethodsData were collected in 2003–2004 from 2544 adults living in 154 Census Collection Districts (CCD) in Adelaide, Australia. Participants reported past week WT frequency. Full walkability (consisting of net residential density, intersection density, land use mix, and net retail area ratio) and SSW (consisting of gross population density and a space syntax measure of street integration) were calculated for each CCD using geographic information systems and space syntax software. Generalized linear models with negative binomial variance and logarithmic link functions were employed to examine the associations of each walkability index with WT frequency, adjusting for socio-demographic variables.ResultsTwo walkability indices were closely correlated (ρ = 0.76, p < 0.01). The associations of full walkability and SSW with WT frequency were positive, with regression coefficients of 1.12 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.17) and 1.14 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.19), respectively.ConclusionsSSW employs readily-available geographic data, yet is comparable to full walkability in its association with WT. The concept and methods of space syntax provide a novel approach to further understanding how urban design influences walking behaviors.

The Role of Urban Morphology Design on Enhancing Physical Activities and Public Health

“…-The relationship between human-made environments and walkability was studied with respect to the theory of space syntax and by using questionnaires. It was concluded that these two indicators had a positive correlation with one another [87,88]. Walkability in the environment was analyzed using GIS method and with respect to the 4 criteria, namely functional diversity, population density, business density and intersection density.…”

Planejamento e desenho urbanos: uma conciliação possível?

“…A presença de estudos que correlacionam desenho urbano com transporte é bastante forte, sendo base para os seguintes assuntos: (1) relação entre as características do espaço físico e o uso de transportes não motorizados, (2) tratamento de áreas próximas às estações de transporte (DOT) e (7) soluções de desenho urbano para vagas de estacionamento. O tema mais recorrente (1) aponta, em sua maioria, a contribuição da densidade, do uso misto e da conectividade das vias para cidades com maior fluxo de pedestres, e de meios de deslocamento não motorizados, como a caminhada e a bicicleta (Boulange et al, 2017;Lee et al, 2017;Gunn et al, 2017;Lee, 2015;Lerman & Omer, 2016;Koohsari et al, 2016;Choi, 2014;Johnson & Marko, 2008;Krizek, 2003;Greenwald, 2003;Handy et al, 2002). Dentro dessa temática, há ainda artigos que trazem perspectivas complementares sobre a afirmação predominante.…”

“…Nas propostas referentes ao uso e à ocupação do solo, por exemplo, a composição de conjuntos urbanos que superem exclusivamente o lote como unidade de referência de configuração urbana, o estabelecimento de limites mínimos e máximos de área construída computável destinada a estacionamento de veículos, ou mesmo a possibilidade de o passeio ganhar mais largura em compensação à dispensa de recuo frontal das edificações no lote têm clara sintonia com alguns dos artigos selecionados na terceira etapa da pesquisa. Uma das diretrizes que se tornou mais conhecida, a fachada ativa, está justamente associada a uma melhor relação entre a edificação, o seu uso lindeiro e a circulação de pedestres, mecanismo esse que se coloca em meio a um certo debate em torno da tese Jane Jacobs, na defesa do uso misto e da densidade como promotor de caminhabilidade, conceito defendido também por artigos descobertos pela pesquisa (Boulange et al, 2017;Lee et al, 2017;Gunn et al, 2017;Lee, 2015;Lerman & Omer, 2016;Koohsari, et al, 2016;Choi, 2014;Johnson & Marko, 2008;Krizek, 2003;Greenwald, 2003;Handy et al, 2002), ou, ao contrário, a crítica de que o uso misto e as maiores densidades populacionais geram a caminhabilidade, ao serem apontadas limitações nessa relação (Maat et al, 2005;Kemperman & Timmermans, 2009;Lee, 2015).…”

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Assessing Active Living Potential: Case Study of Jacksonville, Florida

“…Another study concluded that considering both residential density and the walkable destinations creates good measures of urban walkability and can be recommended for use by policy-makers, planners and public health officials [45]. However, an additional study suggested the Space Syntax Walkability (SSW) method, which employs gross population density and a space syntax measure of street integration, could provide a toolset for further understanding of how urban design makes an impact on walking behaviors [46]. The authors argued that, compared to conventional walkability measures, the SSW method appears to be an effective alternative to full walkability in terms of data availability and processing.…”