Built Environment Determinants of Pedestrian Activities and Their Consideration in Urban Street Design

Abstract

Pedestrian facilities have been regarded in urban street design as “leftover spaces” for years, but, currently, there is a growing interest in walking and improving the quality of street environments. Designing pedestrian facilities presents the challenge of simultaneously accommodating (1) pedestrians who want to move safely and comfortably from point A to B (movement function); as well as (2) users who wish to rest, communicate, shop, eat, and enjoy life in a pleasant environment (place function). The aims of this study are to provide an overview of how the task of designing pedestrian facilities is addressed in international guidance material for urban street design, to compare this with scientific evidence on determinants of pedestrian activities, and to finally develop recommendations for advancing provisions for pedestrians. The results show that urban street design guidance is well advanced in measuring space requirements for known volumes of moving pedestrians, but less in planning pleasant street environments that encourage pedestrian movement and place activities. A stronger linkage to scientific evidence could improve guidance materials and better support urban street designers in their ambition to provide safe, comfortable and attractive street spaces that invite people to walk and to stay.

Understanding Thai Urban Pedestrian Culture During Noon Break: How Sidewalk Users Experience the Walking Infrastructure in Bangkok, Thailand

“…Improvements in the physical qualities of the walking infrastructures would increase walking distance naturally. Design considerations should incorporate pedestrian and sidewalk design that combines and maximizes the synergy of all activities (Gerike et al, 2021) to create flexible and sustainable pedestrian routes. In the case of Bangkok, the improvement of urban spaces, including streets and sidewalks, is multidisciplinary.…”

“…The physical environment of sidewalks has been quantitatively studied with respect to their mobility aspects for a long time, but less attention has been given to the issue of how to make them more suitable as they pertain to human factors (Gerike et al, 2021). The fact that pedestrians give high value to walking possibilities indicates that preferences for walking shape pedestrian choices (Shriver, 1997).…”

“…The fact that pedestrians give high value to walking possibilities indicates that preferences for walking shape pedestrian choices (Shriver, 1997). Without the strong support of scientific evidence, it is a challenge to design attractive and inviting sidewalk spaces that account for mobility roles (movement) and placemaking roles (non-movement) of pedestrian facilities that naturally happen concurrently on the same space (Gerike et al, 2021). Gehl (2010) concluded that pedestrians should be given priority.…”

“…Gehl (2010) concluded that pedestrians should be given priority. The use of narrow public sidewalks of, say, 1.00 m. in width, should be restricted to avoid having them repeatedly being used for commercial activity and creating an undesirable standard (Gerike et al, 2021). A proper width is required to accommodate movement in both directions, allowing pedestrians to move safely and comfortably.…”

“…The tropical climate of Bangkok combined with high-density development amplifies the urban heat island effect, causing thermal comfort issues (Thammapornpilas, 2015), and walkability is reduced due to increases in radiation and average temperature (Koerniawan & Gao, 2016). Furthermore, street design may influence the environment in the immediate area, including the microclimate, noise, and air pollution (Gerike et al, 2021). Lastly, the distance a pedestrian finds acceptable to travel by foot is considered an essential indicator of walkability.…”