Comparative Analyses on Factors of the Pedestrian Numbers in a Downtown Area at Two Points of Time Using Space Syntax Indicators – in the Case of Sakae-South, Nagoya CBD in Japan

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the factors of the estimated pedestrian numbers in Nagoya, Japan at two points of time, with the aim of clarify the impact from two Space Syntax indicators, intensity of space use, distance from the station and pavement width on the pedestrians at two points of time. Theoretical Framework: The factor ranking for pedestrians in some prior reports shows the Space Syntax indicators to be higher ranking. This suggests a possibility of pedestrian factor analysis in which the Space Syntax indicators are added to factors. However, no one has checked if the Space Syntax indicator has an influence as a factor of the pedestrian number even if the time is changed. Therefore, it is meaningful to conduct the factor analyses in multiple times and compare the models. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises the creation of the correlation matrix between pedestrian numbers and the candidate explanatory variables, conduction of the multiple linear regression analysis at two points of time and comparison of two models. Data collection was carried out through the survey of the pedestrian numbers, calculation of Space Syntax Indicators. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed that the multiple correlation coefficients of the models decreased from 0.701 at first point of time to 0.562 at second point of time, but the Space Syntax indicator satisfied a significant difference at a 5% level in a t-test for the two points of time. In the discussion section, as tasks to be tackled in the future, further examination of points of time along with understanding the likely influence of Space Syntax indicators if other factors significantly change will clarify the validity of the Space Syntax indicators. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by showing that the Space Syntax indicator has a certain degree of influence as a factor of the pedestrian number even though a point of time and pedestrians are changed.