Modeling walkability: the effects of street design, street-network configuration and land-use on pedestrian movement

This study explores the relative association of street design –local qualities of street environment–, street network configuration –spatial structure of the urban grid–, and land use patterns with the distribution of pedestrian flows. The aim is to better understand the extent to which systematically measured street-level urban design qualities and objectively measured street network configuration 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 configuration and densities of pedestrian movement. Pedestrian data were collected on selected road segments within the areas. Same road segments were characterized through detailed field-surveys in terms of aesthetic qualities, signage, sidewalk design, pedestrian crossings/traffic lights, ground floor uses as well as GIS-based hosing plot-level (parcel-level) land use density and street-level topography. Street network configurations 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 configuration, land use, and walking behavior. This study contributes to the literature by offering insights into the comparative roles of urban design qualities of the street environment and street network layout on pedestrian movement. Preliminary findings imply that notwithstanding the significance 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 significant variable for the description and modulation of pedestrian movement.