An Empirical Assessment of the Walking Environment in a Megacity: Case Study of Valiasr Street, Tehran

Abstract

High air pollution, car dependency, and increasing statistics of obesity and cardiovascular diseases are growing issues in the mega city of Tehran, the capital city of Iran. Therefore, investigating the quality of walkability as an effective solution for these issues in Valiasr Street, the longest street of Middle East and one of the key vena of Tehran, becomes significant. Research shows that despite the attempts of executed projects, the majority of implemented actions in this street were not in accordance with services of its pedestrian facilities. Even in some cases, they may threaten the walking environment. This paper discusses not only the physical features of Valiasr Street but it also considers the consequences of policies and municipal decisions in light of walkability criteria. Using walkability indexes from various scholars, this study seeks to investigate the level of walkability in Valiasr Street through field observation and mapping by trained observers/ auditors.

Forecasting the Quality of Service of Bogota’s Sidewalks from Pedestrian Perceptions: An Ordered Probit MIMIC Approach

“…For example, there is much evidence supporting the idea that sidewalk characteristics impact PPSI positively (e.g., sidewalk accessibility, sidewalk width, sidewalk condition, furniture, and public transport access) (40,41). In the same line, surrounding characteristics such as the cleanliness, odor (9,13,20), and landscape (12,13), also have a positive impact on pedestrian QoS perceptions.…”

“…Some use a Delphi method or multi criteria decision approaches ( 9 , 10 – 12 ) to understand or forecast the different PPSI. Others use a scoring system to calculate the different PPSI on a sidewalk ( 6 , 7 , 13 – 20 ). Others still, propose a linear relation between the PPSI and the explanatory variables generating an equation to calculate the PPSI through OLS models ( 1 , 4 , 5 , 21 – 26 ).…”

“…For example, the discomfort pedestrians feel when interacting with other pedestrians has a negative impact on pedestrian perception of QoS ( 16 , 20 , 21 , 34 , 36 ). Similarly, the effects on pedestrians of motor vehicles (externalities) such as the flow of heavy goods vehicles (HGV), vehicular speed, and vehicular flow also affect the PPSI negatively and the pedestrian perception of their QoS ( 6 – 10 , 13 , 16 – 18 , 25 , 27 – 34 ).…”

Local walkability index: assessing built environment influence on walking

“…Each indicator must be closely related to the definition of walkability, quantifiable and understandable by users, and the required data must be available easily and at a reasonable cost (Li et al, 2009;Dur et al, 2010;Zito, Salvo, 2011;Haghshenas, Vaziri, 2012). Reviewing the literature listing walking-related indicators (Hawthorne, 1989;Jacobs, 1993;Atash, 1994;Bauman et al, 1996;Wright et al, 1996;Gallin, 2001;Burden et al, 2002;Pikora et al, 2003;Motamed, Bitaraf, 2016) and by considering the selection criteria, 13 indicators were selected in three categories, namely: safety, quality and attractiveness (Table 2). Safety indicators are considered in response to the need to provide a liveable and safe environment for people.…”

“…. In various studies investigating walking behaviour, accessibility, connectivity, convenience, safety, aesthetic features and attractiveness were the main suggested factors affecting walking activities (Hawthorne, 1989;Bauman et al, 1996;Wright et al, 1996;Galanis, 2011;Humpel et al, 2002;Pikora et al, 2003;Giles-Corti et al, 2003;Galanis, Eliou, 2011;Tal, Handy, 2012;Motamed, Bitaraf, 2016). Ball et al (2001) and Powell et al (2003) found a strong relationship between convenience and level of walking.…”