Pedestrian pathways: an index based on the interrelations between walkability and environmental comfort

Abstract

The study of environmental comfort in open urban spaces has undergone constant updates in the last decades. In the meantime, the specific analysis of these aspects within the context of walkability stands out as an area with considerable potential to be investigated. In this context, this article aims to explore walkability in pedestrian routes and its relationship with environmental comfort, proposing a more systematized approach for its application in the strategic planning of cities. Therefore, we proposed the construction of a Pedestrian Walkability and Comfort Index (ICCP), composed of three partial indices that consider thermal, acoustic, and ergonomic aspects of pedestrian paths. The methodology is based on street visualization tools and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to spatialize and systematize the interactions between walkability and environmental comfort. The research concludes that ICCP is a valid tool for measuring walkability at meso and micro scales, and it can be replicated in other urban contexts. Furthermore, the development and application of ICCP also highlight that rethinking walkability with environmental comfort in urban areas requires an integrated approach to the entire mobility system and urban infrastructure of cities.