A comprehensive index to evaluate non-motorized accessibility to port-cities

Guaranteeing permeability between port and city areas is a complex issue since, in recent years, there have been deep changes, due to the evolution of maritime transport, traffic volumes and port infrastructures, which have profoundly influenced the port-city relationship. The recent growing of the cruise and yachting sectors, however, highlighted the huge possibilities of economic development related to these activities, especially in the areas of the cities located close the ports. In this light, it is essential to ensure good accessibility to the city from the port (and vice versa) and to ensure that urban routes within the areas close to the port offer visitors a pleasant experience, in terms of walkability and opportunities. In this paper a Walkability Comprehensive Index to evaluate the quality of facilities in proximity to port areas will be presented; the index will include evaluation concerning the accessibility of the facilities, their Level of Service and the Places of Interests for visitors entering the city from the port. The calculation of the index is based on a spatial analysis with data obtained through field surveys and by an open source approach. The methodology is applied to the case study of the Port of Catania, a coastal city located in the south of Italy. The comprehensive index provides with information on each arc of the road network, offering an aid for decision-makers in prioritizing intervention for the improvement of non-motorized infrastructure within the interface area between the port and the city.