Factors Affecting Neighborhood Walkability: A Pilot Empirical Study in Qingdao, China
Publication: Journal of Urban Planning and Development
Volume 149, Issue 1
Abstract
As an important part of urban livable environment construction, urban streets are of great significance for daily social interaction and urban vitality. Enhancing walkability is considered an effective design measure to connect places and promote physical health. Compared with previous studies that focused on spatial physical characteristics or transportation infrastructure (such as zebra crossings) of streets, this study aims to identify and analyze walkability indicators that are closely related to subjective perception at the microscale. A questionnaire survey was conducted face to face to collect pedestrians’ perception of walkability indicators, and an exploratory factor analysis was used to extract the main influencing factors. Structural equation models were constructed to verify the stability of the dominating factors and further explore the disparities in different walking intentions and different gender groups. According to the results, Access Safety, Stop Friendliness, and Visual Richness have a great impact on walkability, and women generally have a stronger perception of traffic disturbance and traffic safety than men. Ultimately, based on the results, some useful strategies are proposed for future street renewal. However, the study is limited to the geographical scope of Shinan District of Qingdao. Therefore, the longitudinal comparative analysis of other urban areas of Qingdao or intercity comparative analysis can be carried out in the future so as to provide extensive improvement recommendations.
Practical Applications
Walking is a choice. In order to create an environment that encourages people to walk more, we need to understand how environmental factors affect people’s travel choice. In the context of ultrahigh-density Asian cities in particular, this paper is a scientific attempt to explore the relationship between walkability indicators to guide the construction of a livable neighborhood environment under the concept of Park City. The research results can be used as the basis for urban planning and managers to carry out urban renewal construction. Informed decisions in favor of a walkable environment will be made at a certain cost.
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Published In
Journal of Urban Planning and Development
Volume 149 • Issue 1 • March 2023
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 31, 2022
Accepted: Sep 14, 2022
Published online: Oct 31, 2022
Published in print: Mar 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Mar 31, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Business management
- Case studies
- Comparative studies
- Engineering fundamentals
- Infrastructure
- Methodology (by type)
- Practice and Profession
- Research methods (by type)
- Residential location
- Social factors
- Streets
- Traffic engineering
- Traffic management
- Traffic safety
- Transportation engineering
- Transportation management
- Transportation studies
- Urban and regional development
- Urban areas
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