A step towards walkable environments: Spatial analysis of pedestrian compatibility in an urban context

This paper presents a procedure based on a spatial analysis to assess the pedestrian compatibility of streets in an urban area. The aim is to provide decision-makers with a planning-support method that can aid them to decide the priority of investments, based on street pedestrian compatibility. The case study is Acireale, a small town of 50,000 inhabitants in Sicily (Italy), characterized by a high touristic vocation and a predominant use of private vehicles for daily urban trips. A set of evaluation criteria was chosen to assess the walking condition of each street, and an overall index of pedestrian compatibility was defined. Data were gathered and arranged in a spatial database, and different thematic maps produced, focusing on pedestrian compatibility, and on specific characteristics (e.g. presence and width of sidewalks, slope). First results reveal that some of the main streets crossing the historic centre have a good walkability, while other central streets suffer from car-space dominance. Besides, they also suggest paying more attention on improving pedestrian paths connecting the main facilities located outside the historic centre, being mostly experienced by vulnerable users (e.g. schools and hospitals). Accordingly, a case study regarding an educational centre is presented with different measures of intervention, in order to ensure continuity, safety and pleasantness of pedestrian paths. The developed GIS-based vector-model includes readily available data sources in an easily interpretable graphical format suitable for decision-makers to support the design of walkable environments.