A comprehensive walkability evaluation system for promoting environmental benefits

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 13; no. 1; p. 16183
• Main Authors: Jeong, Ilho, Choi, Minje, Kwak, Juhyeon, Ku, Donggyun, Lee, Seungjae
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 27.09.2023; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 639/166/986; 704/106/694; 704/172/4081; 704/844/2175; 704/844/2739; 704/844/4081; 704/844/841; Active transport; Cities; Humanities and Social Sciences; Mobility; multidisciplinary; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Sustainable transportation
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43261-0

Pedestrian-oriented urban strategies such as the Paris 15-minute City are needed to respond to the global boiling. Quantitative evaluation of pedestrian-oriented urban objectives is important for various cities, and in this paper, a walkability evaluation system for the advanced model is developed considering the characteristics of a large city. The system calculates the walkability of Seoul. The evaluation system uses the Betweenness index as a weight in the urban network analysis. Considering stations with a high betweenness in urban traffic is essential for evaluating a pedestrian-oriented metropolis. Our findings in this study are that the UNA index in WES is critical for transit-oriented, walkable cities. The large city needs to find the location for mobility hubs or stations to observe the last mile. Installing a mobility hub or station at a high-value location in the city center is functionally important. In a pedestrian-oriented city, citizens can walk and bike the last mile in a busy city center. Walkable cities can encourage active transport and ultimately create more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation systems. This study offers valuable insights into pedestrian infrastructure, urban systems, and policies that promote green transportation.