Modeling walkability: The efects of street design, street-network confguration and land-use on pedestrian movement

Abstract

Tis study explores the relative association of street design –local qualities of street environment–, street network confguration –spatial structure of the urban grid–, and land use patterns with the distribution of pedestrian fows. Te aim is to better understand the extent to which systematically measured street-level urban design qualities and objectively measured street network confguration are related to pedestrian movement, controlling for land use. 20 2kmx2km areas in Istanbul were studied in order to establish correlations between street design, street confguration and densities of pedestrian movement. Pedestrian data were collected on selected road segments within the areas. Same road segments were characterized through detailed feld-surveys in terms of aesthetic qualities, signage, sidewalk design, pedestrian crossings/trafc lights, ground foor uses as well as GIS-based hosing plot-level (parcel-level) land use density and street-level topography. Street network confgurations within the areas were evaluated using angular segment analysis (Integration and Choice) as well as two segment-based connectivity measures (Metric and Directional Reach). Linear models were developed to investigate the relationships among street design, street network confguration, land use, and walking behavior. Tis study contributes to the literature by ofering insights into the comparative roles of urban design qualities of the street environment and street network layout on pedestrian movement. Preliminary fndings imply that notwithstanding the signifcance of certain aspects of the street environment that relate to local urban design qualities, the overall spatial configuration of street network may prove to be a signifcant variable for the description and modulation of pedestrian movement.