PLACE LOGIC and the Urban Design Studies Unit (UDSU) at the University of Strathclyde are seeking the support and engagement of the public during upcoming consultation events on the walkability of different streets in Glasgow, London and Winchester. The objective of our survey, which can also be completed online, is to gain a clearer perception of how people observe different urban environments ranging from high streets to congested arterial roads.
The survey will be hosted on a web-based platform featuring panoramic street views of different urban environments in the three chosen cities alongside questions concerning people’s cognitive and emotional responses to the images shown. Data will be collected online and also offline at public events in each of these cities and we’re really excited to hear people’s responses.
We have recently joined forces with the UDSU to develop a novel, more holistic walkability index in an effort to encourage the delivery of places that support sustainable lifestyles, rather than entrenching car dependence. This index will not only measure pedestrian accessibility to a set of amenities and services, like other existing indices, but will also consider urban form, greenery, thermal comfort, and topography.
The scoring system of the forthcoming walkability index will be informed by how people who use our streets perceive different urban environments. That’s why PLACE LOGIC and UDSU will be undertaking walkability surveys of these three cities – using an established methodology developed at the Polytechnic of Milan and University of Milan.
Among other applications the walkability index can be utilised by Local Authorities in the future to help understand how they can improve the walkability of their streets, and by developers who are looking to demonstrate the capability of their proposals to support sustainable lifestyles.
Members of the public can take part in one of the surveys here.
The dates and details of the public events are:
Saturday 11 May, 11.00am – 3.00pm Glasgow Walking and Wheeling Festival, Glasgow Green, Glasgow G1 5DB
Friday 17 May, 10.00am – 4.00pm, Outside Barclays Bank (south façade), High Street, Winchester SO23 8RG
Wednesday 22 May, 11.00am – 4.00pm, outside Somerset House (north façade) Strand, London WC2R 1LA
