Refining The Grain: Using Resident-Based Walkability Audits To Better Understand Walkable Urban Form

Area of Science:

• Urban Planning
• Public Health
• Transportation Geography

Background:

• Street connectivity is frequently used to evaluate neighborhood walkability and its impact on physical activity.
• Existing connectivity measures primarily focus on automobile mobility (street networks) rather than pedestrian movement.
• There is a need for more refined methods to assess walkability from a pedestrian-centric perspective.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the impact of a more detailed street connectivity characterization on walkability assessments.
• To illustrate a refined approach using parent-reported walkability data for children in a suburban school district.
• To propose policy and practice recommendations for creating more walkable urban environments.

Main Methods:

• Utilized parent ratings of street and intersection walkability for children.
• Analyzed connectivity at a finer grain than traditional street network measures.
• Applied a pedestrian-centered approach to visualize urban form and connectivity.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated that a finer-grained, pedestrian-focused connectivity analysis provides a different perspective on neighborhood walkability.
• Highlighted variations in perceived walkability within a suburban school district.
• Identified specific street and intersection features influencing children's walking activity.

Conclusions:

• Traditional street connectivity measures may be insufficient for understanding pedestrian activity.
• A refined, pedestrian-centered approach is valuable for urban planning and promoting walkable communities.
• Findings support policy changes to enhance street design for improved walkability, particularly for children.