Urban walkability index: a methodological proposal

Abstract

Studies on walkability aim to assess the quality of pedestrian movement and the factors that influence decisions about travelling on foot. In the last two decades, authors have dedicated themselves to answering these questions, after all, walking is the most elementary mode of travel, and it is present throughout Brazilian territory. The objective of this work is to propose a methodology for the elaboration of a Walkability Index for the city of Montes Claros/MG. As specific objectives, it proposes the apprehension of studies focused on pedestrian displacements and the use of the multicriteria analysis method AHP – Analytic Hierarchy Process to develop the index. The methodology was built in two stages. The first carries out a review of the theoretical aspects of walkability. The second consists of building the Walkability Index, carried out in three activities: i) multicriteria analysis to define the weights of the walkability indicators, resulting from expert opinion and pedestrian perception; ii) definition of criteria for evaluating the indicators; and iii) application of the mathematical model for calculating the walkability index. The results reflect the relevance of the indicators: existence of sidewalks, lighting and sidewalk maintenance/conservation, and show how essential it is to understand local specificities in the assessment of walkability.