Integration of GIS, remote sensing and Multi-Criteria Evaluation tools in the search for healthy walking paths

Today, urban lifestyles lead to people suffering from a variety of illnesses, most of which are caused by a lack of physical activity. Walking is one of the best ways to prevent such illnesses from occurring. In this study, an integration method is proposed to help people choose the most appropriate and healthiest walking paths in the city of Shiraz in Iran. This method was developed based on data captured from remote sensing images and GIS-based analysis, the aim being to apply parameters related to people’s health. The study directs its attention away from merely improving the path-finding method based on the shortest path, and instead analyzes parameters such as the existence of vegetation, reasonable temperatures and the presence of slopes, as well as the diversity of land uses found along road sections to find the optimum path. Paths with these characteristics should motivate people to walk further and for longer, and as a result improve their health. In this research Spatial Multi-criteria Evaluation (SMCE) process was used to determine the healthiest paths. Travel costs for each road section were calculated, to help develop a walkability index, and then by using path-finding analysis within GIS, the healthiest pathway was determined and compared with the shortest one. The proposed method was implemented in a case study. The results show that the simultaneous use of SMCE, remote sensing and GIS techniques along road sections, and the use of appropriate built environment indices, can help provide both urban planners and the public with the data and tools needed to take account of both the length and healthiness of a walking route, plus the services to be found along that route, when choosing to travel within a city.