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WALKABILITY AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Abstract
Walking is the most primary form of transporting. It is the socially equitable mode most accessible to the masses. However, transportation technology primarily the car has caused the desertion of the pedestrian space. Consequently, the phenomenon created a degradation of the pedestrian environment. In many cities the abandonment of the pedestrian space has created a socially unfriendly environment. Some studies have shown that more crimes are committed in areas where only few pedestrians are present on the street. Other than crime, pollution caused by motorized vehicles and accident involving pedestrian are issues faced by cities when the built environment that support walking is neglected. Walkability is a measure of how friendly an area is to walking. It is the basis of a sustainable city and a fundamental concept in sustainable urban design. In measuring walkability, several criteria are taken into account, which include among others, the quality of pedestrian facilities, roadway conditions, land use patterns, community support, security and comfort for walking. Findings from some studies stated that improving the built environment did not cause people to walk more. However, there are other studies that stated otherwise. One study finds that network design helps determine the ability of pedestrians to reach their destinations, which correspond to the state of the built environment. A vibrant pedestrian environment has been found to contribute to a more livable urban area. The aim of this paper is to review the built environment characteristics that promote walking. A literature review of studies that focused on walking, walkability, the built environment, pedestrian and urban design was conducted. Google and Google Scholars served as the database for the research. The data are then were thematic coded. The fields of urban planning, urban design, geography, transportation, sociology, and other related areas are included in the research. The result of this review offers evidence to the criteria that promote walking. It also provides planners and policy makers to enhance the livability of an area.
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